One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: Go Richo 12 on January 11, 2018, 03:50:33 PM
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Effective immediately.
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Weak as pee....
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Griffiths calls time on AFL career
richmondfc.com.au
January 11, 2018
3:44 PM
Richmond tall forward Ben Griffiths has announced his retirement from AFL football, effective immediately.
Griffiths has been offered a four-year scholarship at the University of Southern California, where he will pursue a career as an American football punter.
Griffiths was drafted to Richmond in the 2009 AFL National Draft with pick No. 19.
He made his AFL debut in Round 10 of the 2010 season and went on to play 63 senior matches for the Tigers.
"Firstly, I'd like to thank Richmond's players, coaches and staff for their support over the past eight years," Griffiths said.
"This was a difficult decision to make, but ultimately the opportunity was too good to refuse.
"It certainly wasn't something I had been contemplating and only arose two weeks ago.
“It was tough telling my teammates and coaches this morning but they understand and support my decision.
"I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to play AFL football and it was an honour to represent the Richmond Football Club.”
Richmond's general manager - football, Neil Balme, said Griffiths would be missed at Tigerland.
"This is a great opportunity for Ben and we thank him for his service over the past eight years," Balme said.
“It came as a shock when Ben made the announcement on Thursday morning.
“Coming in to season 2018, we expected Ben to put together a strong pre-season and again feature as a forward target for us.
“However, we understand this opportunity was too good for him to say no to and we support his decision.
"Ben is a naturally talented athlete and I have no doubt he will quickly adapt to American football.
"I wish Ben and the Griffiths family all the best for the future."
The 26-year-old was contracted with the Tigers until the end of 2018.
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-01-11/ben-griffiths-retirement
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After everything we've done to support him, he dumps on our face.
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wouldve been nice to know pre draft..
Anyhow, good luck to him
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Timing still immaculate as ever - six weeks after the draft.....useless great lump....oh well...good riddance...
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My expectations for Griff in 2018 were pretty low .
I was predicting another concussion in the opening rounds followed by a 3 month stint the sidelines. No doubt would of finished the year playing in the VFL.
Nothing lost here except a whipping boy .
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People seem upset but it was the right decision. Ben was a big risk with his concussion issues, he gets an opportunity to play another sport whilst getting a good education. We save $250,000-$300,000 a year on the salary cap which I imagine will be a big help to us now
and down the track. Whilst people wanted this decision predraft, we did take Callum Coleman Jones, Noah Bolta and Ben Miller in the draft
so someone will definitely get an opportunity now from that group. Also with the amount of litigation going on in terms of concussions, when Ben goes and plays American Football, our risk will be mitigated because American Football is also a contact sport. So for me its a winner all round, especially salary cap wise.
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People seem upset but it was the right decision. Ben was a big risk with his concussion issues, he gets an opportunity to play another sport whilst getting a good education. We save $250,000-$300,000 a year on the salary cap which I imagine will be a big help to us now
and down the track. Whilst people wanted this decision predraft, we did take Callum Coleman Jones, Noah Bolta and Ben Miller in the draft
so someone will definitely get an opportunity now from that group. Also with the amount of litigation going on in terms of concussions, when Ben goes and plays American Football, our risk will be mitigated because American Football is also a contact sport. So for me its a winner all round, especially salary cap wise.
He should've done it in October - he waited till he had a better off. That's what annoys me.
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Can we upgrade a rookie?
Good for us this decision, but proves what a fool
he is. Just woke up this year and said I’m done did he?
Don’t worry about the draft period.
Still it’s a great thing this pussy is out of our club.
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Congratulations on the 4 year contract Griffo.
Hope your life continues to improve after the injury worries.
Well done and thanks for your efforts.
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Let’s recruit a replacement. Oh wait...
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Just frees up a little more room for Lynch in the TPP...... :shh
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Thanks Griff , pity your career was cut short by constant concussions, but all the best for the future
We can upgrade a rookie talk, and the good news we have a few talls who will compete for CHF
And the big question,Who is the new whipping boy! Haters have got to hate
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Thanks for all the years of hard slog & good luck for the future in gridiron ... I mean, those high-tech gridiron helmets stop concussions completely ... err ... because they were made by NASA ... err ... who never get anything wrong ... err ... right? :-\
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People seem upset but it was the right decision. Ben was a big risk with his concussion issues, he gets an opportunity to play another sport whilst getting a good education. We save $250,000-$300,000 a year on the salary cap which I imagine will be a big help to us now
and down the track. Whilst people wanted this decision predraft, we did take Callum Coleman Jones, Noah Bolta and Ben Miller in the draft
so someone will definitely get an opportunity now from that group. Also with the amount of litigation going on in terms of concussions, when Ben goes and plays American Football, our risk will be mitigated because American Football is also a contact sport. So for me its a winner all round, especially salary cap wise.
He should've done it in October - he waited till he had a better off. That's what annoys me.
I'm sure he would have should an offer been on the table back then. It's not ideal however I'm sure it's the correct decision for him and us. I could see this year being hampered by concussion issues like last year. Could have been a fantastic player if he had a harder edge...good luck to him in the States.
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Question? Does his salary count towards this year's cap?
But a 26 year old Aussie in a U.S University for 4 years. Life wouldn't get much better than that for him.
Good luck to him and we have plenty of options already but welcome to Tigerland Tom Lynch.
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Bents Judge Roughneck Stalin et al will be devastated
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What are the positives that come now with this decision by Griff?
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What are the positives that come now with this decision by Griff?
Grigg has no competition for the No 2 ruck spot
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He's got a booming kick. Surprised it took him this long to make the transition. Good luck to him.
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Best thing Griff did was take that mark in the dying seconds against Sydney back in 2014.
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farewell mr balsa wood. i never doubted you could play. it's a shame his body was not built for the rigours of afl
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Agree with most here. Couldn't care less but the timing is awful. Not surprised with Richmond "Look we'll keep you unless you get a better offer" Football Club
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Prokick Australia @ProkickAus
So “After one punt, we knew exactly what to do with him” then we went to work. And with him @bgriffo24 being focused on education, this was a good decision by redirecting his sporting attributes to make it possible. #USC #unilife #prokickaustralia
VIDEO: https://twitter.com/ProkickAus/status/951375013457813504
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Evenings With Finey @SENEvenings twitter:
Tonight @KonradMarshall joined @rohan_connolly and @NigelCarmody to discuss the decision by Ben Griffith's to leave @Richmond_FC in pursuit of his NFL dream in the USA.
AUDIO: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode/?id=167798
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Bents Judge Roughneck Stalin et al will be devastated
Him & big note consoling each other as we speak.... :shh
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I wish him the best.
Personally, thought he should have retired after the concussion against C'wood early 2017
agree with most, timing is shocking but going by reports he was first pursued by Nathan Chapman's company Prokick rather him chasing..
Suppose the positive for a punter is he's not going to get pummelled so he should do well
On another note, think AFL clubs need to be careful. Prokick under the direction of the US system college system are targeting AFL players who can kick long, very long. Think this could become a lot more common
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Exactly should have retired after last year's concussion.
Liked him but selfish with timing. No place at the club for those who arent team and club first.
A bit of a pea heart all things said and done.
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Good luck to him. He was a player that showed talent but could not produce it on a consistent basis. I have no doubt that injuries have taken a significant toil on him in particular the concussion issues. I will always remember that screamer he took against the Suns in 2016 and his game against the Swans at the MCG in the same year. I agree with WP he will be suited to being a punter where there appears to be less physical contact. Agree with most timing could have been better. The club have been very patient with him and deserve to be congratulated with the cautious approach they seem to have taken.
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Unfortunately what I will remember most about Griffith (which was not his fault) is when he was selected along with Cronca to play in the EF final v Norf, what a debacle that was
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Held hope for Griff but those concussions not good. Pobably, well is a very smart move. One more could of been a disaster for him.
Good luck to him.
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He can't be replaced with a rookie right ?.Good luck to him but gez should have retired at end of 2017 at least we could have drafted another kid or player.
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He can't be replaced with a rookie right ?.Good luck to him but gez should have retired at end of 2017 at least we could have drafted another kid or player.
why not?
makes no sense. If true it could be a good omen. (hello yaz)
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He can't be replaced with a rookie right ?.Good luck to him but gez should have retired at end of 2017 at least we could have drafted another kid or player.
why not?
makes no sense. If true it could be a good omen. (hello yaz)
What I mean can we up grade a rookie like when a long term injury occurs now cause he has retired.
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Why should he have done it at the end of the season?
He was intending on playing and this offer wasn't on the table
I don't blame him and wish him all the best
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I just hope his grid iron protective gear is of the highest quality not withstanding he shouldn't be involved in contact
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Why should he have done it at the end of the season?
He was intending on playing and this offer wasn't on the table
I don't blame him and wish him all the best
X2
and on face value, it is a great offer regardless of whether he makes it to the NFL.
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Goodbye good luck hope you don't get hit again and I hope you make it in the big league.
Should a retired a couple of concussions ago IMHO.
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He can't be replaced with a rookie right ?.Good luck to him but gez should have retired at end of 2017 at least we could have drafted another kid or player.
why not?
makes no sense. If true it could be a good omen. (hello yaz)
What I mean can we up grade a rookie like when a long term injury occurs now cause he has retired.
Yes we can.
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Why should he have done it at the end of the season?
He was intending on playing and this offer wasn't on the table
I don't blame him and wish him all the best
X2
and on face value, it is a great offer regardless of whether he makes it to the NFL.
How would you feel if Dusty did the same thing to join Rugby?
The stakes are lower but the principle holds Rhys he has walked out on a contract.
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Why should he have done it at the end of the season?
He was intending on playing and this offer wasn't on the table
I don't blame him and wish him all the best
X2
and on face value, it is a great offer regardless of whether he makes it to the NFL.
How would you feel if Dusty did the same thing to join Rugby?
The stakes are lower but the principle holds Rhys he has walked out on a contract.
If Dusty did that I'd be amazed more than anything but I'd wish him all the best.
We don't own people just because they sign a contract to play footy with us. All that contract does is bind the player to a particular AFL club for a certain period of time at a certain rate of pay. I can't see where it precludes them from pursuing interests outside football, even if that means they no longer play football for us.
Griff has retired, the club has accepted that decision and the contract presumably is voided. The club could enforce that contract if they wanted to. We could keep him on our list to prevent him playing football with another club if we thought that served a purpose.
If the moral angle concerns you, then yes, he has technically made an agreement that he will no longer honour. But he made that agreement in good faith and at the time intended to honour it. Circumstances change, and the club has accepted that. It isn't like he is trying to get out of the contract because Collingwood or Gold Coast have offered him more money. If we were really concerned about it, we could take legal action, but we won't because what he has done isn't unreasonable.
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they will never admit but im guessing the club is glad to see the back of him.
won a flag without him and dont need him. They probably held him due to some empathy toward his concussion.
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Vickery gone - now Griff . They take the ghosts of finals failure with them .
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Why should he have done it at the end of the season?
He was intending on playing and this offer wasn't on the table
I don't blame him and wish him all the best
X2
and on face value, it is a great offer regardless of whether he makes it to the NFL.
How would you feel if Dusty did the same thing to join Rugby?
The stakes are lower but the principle holds Rhys he has walked out on a contract.
If Dusty did that I'd be amazed more than anything but I'd wish him all the best.
We don't own people just because they sign a contract to play footy with us. All that contract does is bind the player to a particular AFL club for a certain period of time at a certain rate of pay. I can't see where it precludes them from pursuing interests outside football, even if that means they no longer play football for us.
Griff has retired, the club has accepted that decision and the contract presumably is voided. The club could enforce that contract if they wanted to. We could keep him on our list to prevent him playing football with another club if we thought that served a purpose.
If the moral angle concerns you, then yes, he has technically made an agreement that he will no longer honour. But he made that agreement in good faith and at the time intended to honour it. Circumstances change, and the club has accepted that. It isn't like he is trying to get out of the contract because Collingwood or Gold Coast have offered him more money. If we were really concerned about it, we could take legal action, but we won't because what he has done isn't unreasonable.
I'm happy he's going, I just think that the circumstances are a reflection of character. A man's word is one thing but his signature was another ......
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Vickery gone - now Griff . They take the ghosts of finals failure with them .
Not until Conca's gone as well....
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Conca can play, he just has to not get injured for longer than five minutes before going off for six months - 1 year rehab
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Conca can play, he just has to not get injured for longer than five minutes
And not get reported. Dirty little grub sniping guys in the back of the head.
Weve got enough redheads in the team now ship him off to bloody westcoast for a packet of urine cakes
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Conca can play, he just has to not get injured for longer than five minutes
And not get reported. Dirty little grub sniping guys in the back of the head.
Weve got enough redheads in the team now ship him off to bloody westcoast for a packet of urine cakes
Thoughts on Rance when he hit Watts whilst lying on top of him....back of the head. Dirty little Rance :snidegrin
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Conca can play, he just has to not get injured for longer than five minutes
And not get reported. Dirty little grub sniping guys in the back of the head.
Weve got enough redheads in the team now ship him off to bloody westcoast for a packet of urine cakes
Thoughts on Rance when he hit Watts whilst lying on top of him....back of the head. Dirty little Rance :snidegrin
Richmond Premiership players can do what they want going the biff as far am im concerned.
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Conca can play, he just has to not get injured for longer than five minutes
And not get reported. Dirty little grub sniping guys in the back of the head.
Weve got enough redheads in the team now ship him off to bloody westcoast for a packet of urine cakes
Thoughts on Rance when he hit Watts whilst lying on top of him....back of the head. Dirty little Rance :snidegrin
That was Rance showing compassion for an opposition player.
He was trying to give Watts another reason (concussion) for not living up to the hype of a No.1 pick. :)
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Conca can play, he just has to not get injured for longer than five minutes
And not get reported. Dirty little grub sniping guys in the back of the head.
Weve got enough redheads in the team now ship him off to bloody westcoast for a packet of urine cakes
Thoughts on Rance when he hit Watts whilst lying on top of him....back of the head. Dirty little Rance :snidegrin
That was Rance showing compassion for an opposition player.
He was trying to give Watts another reason (concussion) for not living up to the hype of a No.1 pick. :)
Hitting girls is not on and Rance should have been punished harder
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Conca can play, he just has to not get injured for longer than five minutes
And not get reported. Dirty little grub sniping guys in the back of the head.
Weve got enough redheads in the team now ship him off to bloody westcoast for a packet of urine cakes
Thoughts on Rance when he hit Watts whilst lying on top of him....back of the head. Dirty little Rance :snidegrin
That was Rance showing compassion for an opposition player.
He was trying to give Watts another reason (concussion) for not living up to the hype of a No.1 pick. :)
Hitting girls is not on and Rance should have been punished harder
:lol
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“TheBigGirlGriff” was truly and excellent choice one pick ahead of that hack Fyfe. :clapping
Unfortunately he couldn’t handle the crash and bash of AFL footy. :'(
Let’s hope he doesn’t get killed playing grid iron. :help
I reckon he’ll last as long as his first big hit, probably at training, let’s hope he doesn’t die. :pray
Thanks for the memories. :cheers
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When we have a player on our list who has depression or cannot play for a non injury related reason it seems we have to pay them for the remainder of their contract.
So what is the deal with Griff? Does he give any money back to the club as he just up and ended his contract?
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When we have a player on our list who has depression or cannot play for a non injury related reason it seems we have to pay them for the remainder of their contract.
So what is the deal with Griff? Does he give any money back to the club as he just up and ended his contract?
Sometimes just the fact that we don't have to watch them run around in our colours is enough
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Tigers CEO talks surprise Griffiths exit
By Justin Talent
SEN
23 January 2018
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale says that former forward Ben Griffiths’ retirement to pursue a career in American football came as a complete shock to him.
The 26-year-old ended his AFL career after 63 games with Tigers earlier this month, having accepted a four year scholarship with the University of Southern California to pursue a career as a punter in the United States.
Despite an AFL career beset by concussion injuries, Gale says that he was not expecting Griffiths’ sudden career change, believing he could have been a valuable asset to the reigning premiers in 2018.
“I was surprised, but upon reflection it makes sense,” the Richmond CEO told KB and the Doc.
“Clearly we’ve had some concerns about his welfare. He’s had successive repeat concussions so we’re concerned about that, so I guess it makes sense in that context.
“We would have preferred to have Ben on our list and we still believe his best days were ahead of him, that he could get by this little road hump with concussions.
“Had we known, I guess we might have been in a position to do something different (in last year’s trade and free agency period), but Ben didn’t know at the time. It did evolve very quickly and he leaves a Richmond player with a very good experience of our footy club.”
Gale thanked Griffiths for his contribution to the club over the past eight years, believing his move to the US could be one that sets him up for life.
“It is a great opportunity for him. A four year scholarship and maybe a career at the end and a chance to set himself up,” he said.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2018/01/22/tigers-ceo-talks-surprise-griffiths-exit/
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A TOP-UP system allowing a club to replace an injured or retired player with someone from outside its list should be high on the AFL's agenda, Geelong legend Jimmy Bartel says.
The proposal comes after Sydney forward Kurt Tippett announced his retirement earlier in the week owing to a degenerative ankle injury.
Tippett's decision to call it quits leaves the Swans a player short, particularly within their big man stocks, heading into 2018.
Hawthorn is in a similar boat after Ty Vickery's retirement in November, while Richmond will be forced to carry Ben Griffiths on its list after he decided to take up a US college scholarship at the University of California as a punter.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-01-24/its-time-for-topups-says-geelong-legend
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dunno why everyone gets into Concs about that, was no big deal, just gave him a bump, don't start a blue then turn your back like it's finished when it isn't imo. No-one gave a poo when Rance slipped a sneaky uppercut into Buddy and knocked one of his choppers out.
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A TOP-UP system allowing a club to replace an injured or retired player with someone from outside its list should be high on the AFL's agenda, Geelong legend Jimmy Bartel says.
The proposal comes after Sydney forward Kurt Tippett announced his retirement earlier in the week owing to a degenerative ankle injury.
Tippett's decision to call it quits leaves the Swans a player short, particularly within their big man stocks, heading into 2018.
Hawthorn is in a similar boat after Ty Vickery's retirement in November, while Richmond will be forced to carry Ben Griffiths on its list after he decided to take up a US college scholarship at the University of California as a punter.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-01-24/its-time-for-topups-says-geelong-legend
I reckon the 3 clubs involved here would be pretty happy with the outcomes of having these players leave and won't mind being a player short. We are probably the hardest done by.
Jimmy's idea is open to manipulation. Keep it simple and suck it up.
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A TOP-UP system allowing a club to replace an injured or retired player with someone from outside its list should be high on the AFL's agenda, Geelong legend Jimmy Bartel says.
The proposal comes after Sydney forward Kurt Tippett announced his retirement earlier in the week owing to a degenerative ankle injury.
Tippett's decision to call it quits leaves the Swans a player short, particularly within their big man stocks, heading into 2018.
Hawthorn is in a similar boat after Ty Vickery's retirement in November, while Richmond will be forced to carry Ben Griffiths on its list after he decided to take up a US college scholarship at the University of California as a punter.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-01-24/its-time-for-topups-says-geelong-legend
It’s funny that two of these hacks were from our club and one was rumoured to be going to our club.
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'I find it farcical': Hardwick hits out at rules
Nathan Schmook
afl.com.au
Feb 13, 2018
THE RULES that prevent Richmond from replacing retired forward Ben Griffiths on its list this season are farcical and are denying a new player an opportunity, according to premiership coach Damien Hardwick.
The Tigers will enter 2018 with a dormant list spot after Griffiths, who is pursuing a career as an American football punter, retired in January, well after the final list lodgment date of November 29 last year.
Hardwick has long been an advocate for mid-season player movement and said his club had spoken to the AFL for the past three years about introducing more windows for clubs to improve their list.
The League has forecast the introduction of mid-season player movement in coming years, but Hardwick will need to wait until at least 2019 after changes for this season were recently ruled out by new football operations manager Steve Hocking.
"I still feel the AFL is behind the times with player movement and we've got to get our head around how that looks," Hardwick told AFL.com.au.
"I find it farcical that we can only improve our list once a year.
"I do not understand what we have to do to give a guy that's playing fantastic footy in the VFL, or wherever it may be, an opportunity through the year if we have significant injuries.
"We've just lost Ben Griffiths, who's chosen to pursue a different career, and we've got a list spot there that will remain unfilled.
"Every kid who is kicking a ball around this day and age wants to play AFL footy and we've got a spot available that will sit for the whole year. That's 12 months no one gets an opportunity and it's disappointing for mine."
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan last year gave a clear indication that he would like to see a mid-season trade period, telling AFL.com.au's Road to the Draft podcast: "I think there needs to be more player movement. If you actually want to get clubs that are well managed climbing quicker, then freer player movement helps that".
Hardwick said he was also a fan of the increased player movement that had come with free agency, but clubs needed to have more power when it came to shaping their lists.
"I'm a big advocate for free agency and I think after a certain period at a club players should have the ability to earn a bigger contract somewhere else," the coach said.
"But having said that, the players have all the power at the moment, and we probably should get something back for that."
Griffiths' retirement has left the Tigers short on established tall forwards and it is likely the club would have used a mid-season trade or draft window to pursue a key position player either as insurance for Jack Riewoldt or to play alongside the vice-captain.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-13/i-find-it-farcical-hardwick-hits-out-at-list-rules
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It's simple to fill the hole really. Get a life size cardboard cutout, helmet and all of the Griff, sit him on the bench and after 3/4 time stick out there at CHF when no ones watching. Do this during the Tiger v hawthorn match and that should be enough to scare the dumb arse hawks into makin big errors when runnin towards him.
There ya go, hole filled, game won :gotigers
Good Luck Griffo :clapping :thumbsup
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Ben Griffiths on SEN Breakfast (20/06/2018)
AUDIO: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode/?id=247785
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How Griffiths told Hardwick he was retiring
By Mark Koelmeyer
SEN
20 June 2018
Leaving your job can be tough, and the most daunting part can often be approaching your boss to explain the reason behind your departure.
In the case of former Richmond forward Ben Griffiths, it was much of the same.
Griffiths, who played 62 games for the Tigers, announced his retirement from AFL in 2017 to pursue a punting career in the United States after being offered a scholarship at the University of Southern California (USC).
Griffiths has recounted his experience of telling Tigers head coach Damian Hardwick of his desire to make the switch.
SEN Breakfast with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson can be heard Monday-Friday 6-9am, and you can subscribe to the podcast here.
“I had to call him up on a Sunday afternoon and organise to catch up with him at a café,” Griffiths told SEN Breakfast.
“I’ve never been so nervous in my life, I had big sweat patches down my t-shirt.
“But he was extremely supportive and encouraging of the decision.
"He probably knew the opportunity that lay ahead of me so I was very grateful and thankful to have that conversation with him and get his support.
“I completely understand that he was probably annoyed to some degree, but he said it would be wrong of him to talk me out of an opportunity like this."
Griffiths will move to the States this year to prepare for the upcoming college football season which begins in late August.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2018/06/19/how-griffiths-told-hardwick-he-was-retiring/
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Bye
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Will love see the Tigers go back to back?
Jennifer Phelan
afl.com.au
Jun 21, 2018
EX-RICHMOND big man Ben Griffiths has declared the Tigers are primed to win back-to-back premierships.
The retired ruckman, who is working on becoming an NFL punter, says his former team is in the box seat to win a second straight flag because of their close-knit group.
"I certainly believe they can do it again," Griffiths said on Wednesday at the AFLPA's launch of its yoga and mindfulness partnership with athletic brand Lululemon.
"I just know the connection and love they've got for each other down there and that goes a long way.
"The only thing that will hold them back is injuries, but they're going alright at the moment."
Griffiths said it had been tough to leave the Tigers after nine years and readjust to life away from a professional sporting world, having been drafted straight out of high school.
"I certainly miss the team environment," he said.
"At the moment, because I'm just training all the time, it's hard not being able to go out there on the weekend and actually compete for something.
"I struggle a little bit with that, not seeing all the boys and my close mates every day like I used to, and that's certainly one of the harsh realities of leaving the system."
Griffiths walked away from the game in January after accepting a four-year scholarship with the University of Southern California, where he's set to combine primary school teaching studies with American football training.
He is spending this year in Melbourne working with Prokick Australia coach Nathan Chapman to perfect his punting skills before relocating to the US in January.
He is also working at a factory in Thornbury while he waits to make the big full-time move.
"We kick three times a week and then pretty much go to the gym every other day, and then I've had full-time uni and then working," he said.
"The training stuff, it's just been a lot of kicking and learning the craft, and I've been trying to put on a bit of weight in the gym."
Griffiths said he had already noticed an improvement in his punting, having achieved a few "five second-plus hang-time" kicks with an average length of 75 yards (68.5m).
In his last season at Punt Road, he battled dual concussions that saw him play one game in 14 weeks before he returned wearing a helmet.
Still, he said that wasn't the main reason behind why he walked away and had been prepared to play on had the scholarship not eventuated.
"The concussion side of stuff wasn't really a factor in the decision in the end, because I was cleared to play at the end of last year and came back and finished off the year," he said.
"For mum, it was a bit more settling, knowing I wasn't going to be getting hit any more.
"For me, it was more just the appeal of getting a university degree."
Griffiths said his symptoms had cleared up since he removed the contact side of the game from his life.
"I haven't had a migraine in over a year now," he said.
"I was fortunate enough that we found some underlying symptoms that were very fixable, and we worked really hard.
"It was very frustrating, but I was able to recover and come back to football, which was what I wanted to do, and I was very fortunate to be in a place where Richmond got me the best medical advice and helped me recover."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-06-20/will-love-see-the-tigers-go-back-to-back
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My tip, theBigGirlGriff doesn’t make it past preseason training and a big hit by one of the linebackers.
Let’s hope special teams don’t have to train with the big fellas