At the start of this year, following 20 seasons of AFL football in the 2000s, we asked you to help us come up with the Tigers’ Team of the 21st Century so far. We put together a squad of 40 players from which we wanted you to select your best 22. To assist with the selection process, we also provided a profile and statistical analysis of each squad member. Only players that had appeared in a minimum of 50 games at senior level with Richmond during the 2000s were considered eligible for selection. After collating all the line-ups you compiled, the Tigers’ Team of the 21st Century is complete. We’re now announcing one player per day, in positional order from the backline, until all 22 are revealed. Today we turn our attention to the other back pocket in the side – Dylan Grimes.
Dylan Grimes
On-field position: Defender
Games in the 2000s (2010-19): 151
Goals: 3
Playing achievements/honours: Member of Richmond’s 2017 and 2019 premiership teams, All-Australian representative in 2019, All-Australian nominee in 2018, AFL Rising Star nominee in 2012
Top 10 finishes in the Jack Dyer Medal: Five – equal 9th in 2015, equal 7th in 2016, 5th in 2017, 5th in 2018, 3rd in 2019
HIGHLIGHTS Watch the best of Team of the 21st Century back pocket, Dylan Grimes
AFL career averages
Kicks: 6.2
Handballs: 5.3
Disposals: 11.5
Marks: 3.8
Rebound-50s: 1.7
Contested possessions: 4.6
Uncontested possessions: 6.8
Intercepts: 4.2
Score involvements: 1.4
Tackles: 2.5
One-percenters: 4.9
Metres gained: 88.8
Comment: Overcame chronic hamstring issues early in his AFL career to become an elite defender at the game’s highest level. Stepped up superbly last season in the absence of the injured Alex Rance, taking over as the general of Richmond’s defence. Has the valuable versatility to play on, and nullify, tall or small opponents. Is quick, an intelligent reader of the play, uses the ball efficiently and has an abundance of courage, as highlighted by him being voted the AFL Players’ Association’s “Most Courageous Player” in 2019.
