FAREWELL JACK GRIMES

[Demon Jack 6,272]

Well and truely earned his hundredth next week. Best of luck Grimesy.

Edited July 9, 2016 by Demon Jack

[Binmans PA 25,892]

2 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Proven AFL player. He will be an asset as we rise up the ladder

Lol. We're not keeping him, mate. He was pretty good tonight, but there's no way he stays on our list next year.

[bing181 8,149]

Don't see Bugg coming back any time soon if he keeps this up.

[Binmans PA 25,892]

Just on this, listen to Roos' press conference.

'Do you feel like there's a role and position for him [Grimes] this season and beyond at the club?'

'Well, look, we've tried to change his game a bit...' - Roos then went on to talk about how our wingers were really effective. That says everything really.

[stuie 7,374]

4 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Don't see Bugg coming back any time soon if he keeps this up.

Really? I'd have Bugg with fresh legs coming in next week to tag Jack Steven.

Darwin then Etihad...

 

[stuie 7,374]

37 minutes ago, AdamFphlebeb said:

Just on this, listen to Roos' press conference.

'Do you feel like there's a role and position for him [Grimes] this season and beyond at the club?'

'Well, look, we've tried to change his game a bit...' - Roos then went on to talk about how our wingers were really effective. That says everything really.

Your bias is getting a bit out of control now, you left a fair bit out:

"It was good to see him getting a bit of the ball and he took a crucial mark late in the game as well when we were under siege a bit," Roos said after the win.

"It's encouraging as a footy club that when our 'seconds' are playing really well you can see that when they come into the seniors they are really well prepared.

"It's good for Jack to get a game, we were confident he'd play well and he did."

Roos said the club had been working with Grimes to develop him into a wingman, seeing him shift up the ground from half-back. He was pleased Grimes was able to combine with Melbourne's fellow on-ballers to put in a strong display. 

"We've tried to change his game a bit away from being a defender and give him an opportunity to play in different parts of the ground," Roos said.

"Our wings were really effective today – Matty Jones (30 disposals), Billy Stretch (12 disposals) and 'Grimesy'. Every role is important but I think the wing role has never been more important in football than now.

"I think it showed today that he's (Grimes) made some improvements."
 

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-07-09/grimes-florishes-in-comeback-match
 

 

[Pates 9,536]

I was concerned at quarter time, glad he went onwards and upwards after that. Surely going to notch his century up next week.

[Biffen 12,298]

Good ordinary footballer.

 

[DemonOX 8,529]

1 hour ago, Biffen said:

Good ordinary footballer.

 

Had 8 tackles which is good but the turnovers or miss kicks are very frustrating.  

[Gator 16,891]

I fall into the camp that sees more of his limitations than his strengths.  I'm never confident that he'll make the right decision or execute properly.

That said, he won plenty of the footy, which is a talent in itself and would have really felt a tonne of pressure to perform so I can't help but feel pleased for him.  He's not the future, but I'll be rapt to see him chalk up 100 games next week.

[Winners at last 4,685]

Good on him for playing a great game. But one good game against poor opposition hardly cements his future. I find it amusing to read post saying things like "the critics can swallow their words!!" One swallow doesnt make a summer!!!!

[What 18,810]

He got better when the sting went out of the game. His first quarter was terrible, and thats the quarter we won the game.  Im glad he will get to 100 games.

[Undeeterred 2,816]

10 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

What is form? VFL form. The same form that ANB, Michie, Spencer and others have had all year? AFL form - 1 game, plenty of touches - as did the rest of our midfield and half back line, no real influence. I don't see it as form. 

I could talk about his trade value but I don't think he has any. There's plenty of players in every club who dominate in the state leagues each week and don't get traded.

He's a free agent anyway, isn't he?

[Mach5 4,482]

On 8 July 2016 at 11:19 AM, Lucifer's Hero said:

There was an article on mfc website last year where Roos said everyone played 'individual' football when he arrived and he noted Grimes and Jones. They were both interested in individual stats implying not playing teamwork on the field. 

Jones responded in Roos 1st year and was made sole captain.  One can only assume that Grimes didn't respond, lost the captaincy and asked to work out his issues in the reserves.  Jones recently acknowledged his 'individual' performance (pre Roos) as that is all he could control when there was so much going on off field. Worked very hard at being a good team player and leader,

I can understand Jack feeling badly done by in losing the captaincy and feeling put out about playing reserves.  He is a proud man with whom the 'demotions' would not sit well.  Perhaps it was his own ego feeling bruised. 

To blame his non-selection on Roos' ego is just so far fetched to be downright silly.  I think we can all see the reasons Jack (and other pre Roos) players have missed senior selection. It will be interesting to see if he plays 'individual' football or plays the 'way the coaches want', in the next few games or if he goes back to old ways.  Will also be interested to see how he plays the 'team defence' game style...his first time in the seniors since we've played this way.

Hope DL give him a few weeks before criticising as he will find the tempo faster than from Casey and if he plays wing or forward will need time to slot in with other players and style of play. 

For Jack it won't be about possessions/tackles or other individual stats - it will be all about his contribution to team defence, team play and unselfish football.

 

My educated guess on this is Grimes' reluctance to take necessary risks, for fear of wearing the blame for mistakes, in spite of what the coaching dept was preaching.

Part of this would have been the onfield "personality" that was drilled into him through the Neeld era which was a polar opposite.

Slowing play (allowing oppositon structures time to close gaps) looking for an option that isn't there, and attempting pinpoint kicks along the boundary that skew out-on-the-full have hurt him, and it has taken time to unlearn these things.

Last night I was happy to see him bang the ball on his boot quickly and roll the dice based on kicking to situation where we held the favourable odds. He wasn't perfect, but Grimes showed progress that I had begun to think was never coming.

It's a simplification, but in Grimes' case in particular "kick it long" is back en vogue.

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,569]

I saw most of the same pros and cons in his game last night that many on this forum did.  I think the real indicator of where he goes after this year will only be evident after he has strung together two, three or more games back at AFL level.  Perhaps some who get the benefit of watching Casey play have a better insight into that, but I think it is pretty hard to otherwise.

Many players need one or two games back at the highest level to build confidence and adjust to the faster pace of the game (Patraca being a prime, somewhat exadurated example), I will be  keenly watching over the next few weeks to see if Jack can tidy up some of his disposal and do some better things with the ball.  Thought that some of his recovery, second and third efforts were great and would have please Roos and Co no doubt.

[sydneydee 647]

I am hoping that he remains in the team for the rest of the year. This will add a seasoned hard body and allow us to rotate the kids as they tire. Secondly assuming he leaves as a restricted free agent it may bump up his contract which will give us better compensation. Everyone should get behind him and hope he has a blinder for the rest of the season. 

[Bombay Airconditioning 5,850]

As I mentioned in the post match discussion thread.... As we know at seasons end every player has a review, Grimes at 27 years of age will be of the belief he's best 22 at "an" AFL club, he will ask the question of incumbent coach Goodwin as to where he stands, I think he will be told he's not in our best 22 and which point he will thank the club for the time he's had here and asked to be traded. 

[Bombay Airconditioning 5,850]

18 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

I saw most of the same pros and cons in his game last night that many on this forum did.  I think the real indicator of where he goes after this year will only be evident after he has strung together two, three or more games back at AFL level.  Perhaps some who get the benefit of watching Casey play have a better insight into that, but I think it is pretty hard to otherwise.

Many players need one or two games back at the highest level to build confidence and adjust to the faster pace of the game (Patraca being a prime, somewhat exadurated example), I will be  keenly watching over the next few weeks to see if Jack can tidy up some of his disposal and do some better things with the ball.  Thought that some of his recovery, second and third efforts were great and would have please Roos and Co no doubt.

We have four (five if you include Saints at Ettihad) real test left, Eagles, Port, Geelong away and the Hawks at home.

 

 

[Mach5 4,482]

9 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

As I mentioned in the post match discussion thread.... As we know at seasons end every player has a review, Grimes at 27 years of age will be of the belief he's best 22 at "an" AFL club, he will ask the question of incumbent coach Goodwin as to where he stands, I think he will be told he's not in our best 22 and which point he will thank the club for the time he's had here and asked to be traded. 

If you think football clubs and/or players wait until the end of the season to have these discussions, you are sadly mistaken.

[Jaded No More 57,630]

Do I think Grimes is best 22 going into the future? Probably not.

Do I think that he is a fantastic depth player who can cover multiple roles and will always give you 100%? Absolutely

Everyone is talking about him being done next year, and that may be the case. If another club gives him more opportunities I would be absolutely thrilled for him, but if the choice was cutting him loose for nothing or keeping him on, I would keep him on.

There are a few others who I would cut first (Terlich, Michie, Newton, Dawes??), and given we do not have a 1st round pick this year, and are not likely to make more than 4-5 list changes, Grimes may well stick around, and I for one hope he does.

It is an absolute credit to him that he continued to be so professional all year in the VFL, took the criticism on the chin and worked on his game. He, along with Watts, probably have had more role changes in their career than anyone on our list. These things take time, and for him to come on half way through the year, play his first game in a new role, with the team playing a different style, and rack up 32 meaningful touches, is a brilliant effort.

He well and truly deserves to play his 100th next week. We forget how much we ruined his development by making him captain when this club was on the brink of extinction. The weight this guy had to carry around, while also managing injury after injury. I hope he has a wonderful 100th, and I hope the boys get up and win for him. He really does deserve it! 

[Bombay Airconditioning 5,850]

I would ask the question as to why Garland signed on for 3 years if he knew he wasn't in the coaches best 22? Was he shopped around but received no interest and a 3 year deal playing in the VFL was better than no deal at all. I get that clubs want depth and having players fighting for spots is a good thing but I would of thought that Garland want under the impression he was a certain starter hence the 3 years.

[Undeeterred 2,816]

1 hour ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

I would ask the question as to why Garland signed on for 3 years if he knew he wasn't in the coaches best 22? Was he shopped around but received no interest and a 3 year deal playing in the VFL was better than no deal at all. I get that clubs want depth and having players fighting for spots is a good thing but I would of thought that Garland want under the impression he was a certain starter hence the 3 years.

1. It's guaranteed money for three years. Would have thought that's a no brainer.

2. When he signed, he was getting a game.

[Little Goffy 12,507]

Gee, this Grimes kid goes alright. 11 times emergency, finally gets a game, and on debut notches up 32 disposals at 90% efficiency, 9 marks and 8 tackles.

Future captain, I say.

At least, a very good low-cost trade-in from that team Mark Neeld used to coach, as much as it takes a while to reprogram players from there.

[jnrmac 18,914]

8 hours ago, ProDee said:

I fall into the camp that sees more of his limitations than his strengths.  I'm never confident that he'll make the right decision or execute properly.

That said, he won plenty of the footy, which is a talent in itself and would have really felt a tonne of pressure to perform so I can't help but feel pleased for him.  He's not the future, but I'll be rapt to see him chalk up 100 games next week.

What he did repeatedly last night was run and spread to create options. That cannot be underestimated given what we have had top put up with for many years. And he defended well when he had to. It's exactly what we need from him. Well done Jack. Congrats on reaching 100 games.

[Gator 16,891]

9 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

What he did repeatedly last night was run and spread to create options. That cannot be underestimated given what we have had top put up with for many years. And he defended well when he had to. It's exactly what we need from him. Well done Jack. Congrats on reaching 100 games.

True.  His run was important.