Dylan Grimes' media conference 24-5-19

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VIDEO: https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2019-05-24/grimes-on-dreamtime-at-the-g

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Despite an injury-ravaged season, Richmond is doing well to hold its head above water, sitting in fifth position with a 6-3 win-loss record.

One player who has started to hit his straps in recent weeks is superstar midfielder Dustin Martin, who polled a perfect 10 in the AFLCA votes against Hawthorn last weekend.

"Outside these walls it would have been seen he was having a quieter start to the year, internally we felt like he has been at his most influential in other areas," Grimes said.

"Not many people realise, but I think his pressure's gone up than in previous years, he's averaging more tackles (1.3 in 2018 to 3.8 in 2019), and they're the things 'Dimma' (coach Damien Hardwick) really prides our group on.

"To see him work on that side of the game, then finally get the rewards on the offensive side of the game, has been positive because he's been working really hard. Dusty's a big-game player and I'm sure this week will be a good example of that."

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Essendon focal point Joe Daniher is out of the side, set to miss the season due to his ongoing groin issue. It's thrown a bit of a spanner in Richmond's planning process, but Grimes isn't overly complaining.

"To be honest, first of all you empathise with Essendon a little bit, because we've had players go down at the last minute as well, key players like Joey is, he's a superstar who can turn a game on its head," he said.

"Absolutely we were preparing to play him this week and put in some work into the meeting room into how we were going to manage his aerial ability, his ground work ability and also his knack for kicking goals outside 50."

Hard-running midfielder Kane Lambert will miss this week's clash with the Bombers due to Achilles soreness.

"I hope to see him back in the next week, if not the next two weeks, because he's been such a consistent player for us," Grimes said.

"He won an award this week just for the character he is off-field. He's a terrific competitor, we'll miss him out there for sure, but similar to 'Nank' (Nankervis) and all the other guys we've lost this year, we're bringing in some exciting talent."

https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-05-24/we-call-him-the-zombie-tigers-to-unleash-new-weapon-coleman-jones

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Grimes credits Rance's big AFL influence

Roger Vaughan
ESPN
24 May 2019

Dylan Grimes shouted Alex Rance to breakfast not long ago as the Richmond defence continues to dine out on AFL opponents.

While the Tigers clearly miss Rance, they're coping admirably as the multiple All-Australian recovers from his knee reconstruction.

Overcoming Richmond's defence will be a major challenge for Essendon in the Saturday night Dreamtime At The 'G blockbuster, even more so now the Bombers have lost key forward Joe Daniher for the season.

Grimes has stepped up admirably in Rance's absence and after narrowly missing All-Australian selection last year, he surely is on track to achieve the honour this time.

Breakfast was Grimes' way of saying thank you to Rance, who is helping out his fellow defenders as he aims for an improbable late-season return.

"Until you play the role he plays, you don't get to fully appreciate how talented he is and much of a leader he is," Grimes said.

"For the last five or six years, I've been able to learn from him so closely and really, he's one of my closest friends.

"He's been right there with me in the review meetings and he's been coaching me as closely as anyone, to try to fill the role he's been playing."

Given Rance is impossible to replace, Grimes said all the defenders had stepped up.

He singled out David Astbury and Nick Vlastuin for also taking on Rance's defensive role.

"Rancey's role is sort of everyone's role at the same time," Grimes said.

"Everyone collectively has made a lift, but you take an All-Australian backman out of the side, you're going to notice a bit of a difference.

"For me it's been the best learning opportunity."

Rance is quick to correct anyone who says his season is over and Grimes would not be surprised if he recovers in time.

"All I can say is the positive attitude he's had from the moment he was injured - you would have seen the interview he had post-game (after the injury)," Grimes said.

"So far, everything is looking excellent."

Grimes added that Essendon's attack remains dangerous, despite not kicking more than 10 goals since round five.

"You're not ever 100 per cent sure of the look they're going to give you," he said.

"Offensively, they do have so many tricks.

"As much as you scope them out, there's only so much you can do."

http://www.espn.in/afl/story/_/id/26810156/grimes-credits-rance-big-afl-influence