Shaun Grigg on the refreshing changes at Richmond, 5-0 start to the season, things Damien Hardwick has changedApril 28, 2017
Anna Harrington
FOX SPORTSFor the 22 young men in yellow and black, they were the sounds of a renewed confidence — a group at ease with its fifth — and perhaps its most difficult — win of the season.
Richmond veteran Shaun Grigg ripped the tape off his wrists and eased his back off the changeroom wall, having enjoyed a few quiet words with his teammates.
He’d earned those moments too, with his 20 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances, two goal assists and a clutch goal playing a key role in Richmond’s come-from-behind win over a ferocious, yet injury-wearied Melbourne side.
At 29, this was Grigg’s best start to an AFL season in 11 years at the top level — with his previous best the three wins on the trot Richmond enjoyed in 2013, which were, of course, followed by three consecutive losses.
“It’s been really refreshing for myself,” the 29-year-old told foxfooty.com.au.
“I was the oldest player out on the ground for us the first five weeks.
“But I certainly don’t feel it — the young guys are really keeping me young and fresh, I’m loving it.”
It’s quite the contrast to last season, when the Tigers were hit from pillar to post for a 1-6 start to the year, with Grigg a part of all six losses.
To say there has been a change in the Tigers’ on-field mentality is an understatement.
They’ve gone from playing a cautious, risk-free brand of football to a high-intensity, hard-running and heavy-tackling style of play — in the process, relieving the pressure on coach Damien Hardwick.
“It’s (what’s changed) been a lot of things,” Grigg said.
“The boys really love playing for ‘Dimma’ and we love him so he’s brought some new stuff to the table this year and we’ve put in a lot of hard work. So it’s good to see the fruits of that coming.”
If there’s been one major criticism of these Tigers in the past, it’s that too much work has been left to too few: primarily Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Alex Rance, Riewoldt — and previously, Brett Deledio.
For the Tigers to lift above mediocrity, they needed more to come from their other 18 players — both their youngsters and their foot soldiers.
There’s no doubt the inclusion of blue-chip midfielder Dion Prestia, ruckman Toby Nankervis and mid-forward Josh Caddy have helped their cause.
But it’s the improvement of their lesser lights — the likes of David Astbury, Reece Conca and even Grigg — that has also been crucial to their improvement.
“With Dion coming in and Josh Caddy, they’ve brought in some depth,” Grigg said.
“We’re really sharing the load, we’re not relying on Dustin and Trent like we have in the past.
“So everyone’s contributing and it’s really good.”
Aside from the obvious increase in depth, there is a renewed sense of resilience around these Tigers.
Where once they would have folded after a scuffle with the likes of Jack Viney and Nathan Jones while trailing the Demons by 19 points, instead they stood up and fought back — and most importantly, won.
“Our guys have been challenged in every game we’ve played, even Brisbane last week came back at us and our guys responded,” Hardwick said after the game.
“I think (assistant coach) Justin Leppitsch said it best that these guys don’t really get fazed by the occasion too much and they just keep going. And that’s what they did.”
While the likes of Daniel Rioli, Jason Castagna and Dan Butler endured the frustration of tough individual games, they continued to chase, tackle and apply pressure — with the difficulties seeming to spur them on, rather than weighing on them.
“It’s huge. It helps out our back line massively, it helps out us mids,” Grigg said.
“That pressure that they put on is really valued in the team.
“We don’t really judge them on possessions and goals — it’s their pressure and what they bring.”
Grigg cited the efforts of mercurial young teammate Rioli as embodying that relentless pressure and persistence.
“He doesn’t need much,” he said.
“He has his moments and he put on a lot of pressure and he stood up late, kicking a goal in that last quarter.
“So he was huge as well.”
Grigg conceded the Tigers had a “formidable” task on their hands up next — facing current premiership favourites Adelaide off a six-day break this Sunday.
But first, he would focus on his recovery and enjoying the win — the 85th of his 172-game career.
Remarkably, after this fine start to the season, the midfielder now has an even win-loss record, with 85 wins, 85 losses and two draws across his time at Carlton and Richmond.
If these young Tigers can maintain the rage, the signs are there that the ledger could be tipped further in his favour.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/richmond-veteran-shaun-grigg-on-the-changes-that-have-got-the-tigers-firing-early-in-2017/news-story/46a6290470408fe8025440b80bec4b31
