Dependable Richmond defender Dylan Grimes believes adaptability is the key to the success of the Tigers’ backline.
In 2017, Richmond was ranked third competition-wide for points conceded during the home-and-away rounds.
And the Tigers conceded a miserly average of 63.4 points to the opposition in their last 10 games of the season, en route to premiership glory.
“We’ve got a lot of versatile players that can play tall or small,” Grimes said on SEN.
“It just makes everyone’s job a bit easier because you’re constantly changing opponents based on what they’re doing . . . particularly with someone like (Round 1 opponent) Carlton, where their forwards get really high up the ground and try and get out the back.
“So we’re able to just hand over to one another and play a real team brand of defence . . .
“That suits us and it’s something we’re trying to do this year as well.”
Grimes admitted he still wasn’t sure which size opponent he prefers playing on.
“I really enjoy the ‘smalls’ because they keep you really active throughout the whole game,” he said.
“You have to be so switched on because they’re really good at finishing. And, honestly, you can only give them a couple of opportunities a game and they could score a couple of goals.
“With the tall guys, you’ve got your bodywork and the aerial contest that I’m trying to work on myself.
“Like ‘Rancey’ (Alex Rance), he wins and halves almost every one, and I’m trying to take a leaf out of his book in that regard.
“But I think a bit of difference suits me, as well, because I don’t really know what my preference is. So playing on both is really enjoyable . . .”
Meanwhile, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has paid tribute to Grimes on the eve of the 2018 season.
Grimes finished a career-high fifth in last year’s Jack Dyer Medal, but Hardwick feels he is under-rated by those outside Tigerland.
“Dylan Grimes is a player who I have enormous respect for,” Hardwick said on Fox Footy.
“The way he plays the game is so intense.
“He’s capable of stopping opponents, and winning the ball back at the same time.
“Those guys are incredibly valuable.”
