Six weeks out of action, due to a hamstring injury, has seemed like an eternity in football terms for hard-running Richmond midfielder Shaun Grigg.
The good news for Grigg, however, is that he’s finally ready for a return to the playing field.
He is set to line up for the Tigers’ VFL team in Saturday’s match against Port Melbourne at Punt Road Oval, ME Bank Centre.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been pretty lucky the four years I’ve been here, with injuries, so it’s been disappointing, but happy to be back,” Grigg said.
Richmond has launched The Alannah and Madeline Foundation membership – find out more
“I might just start every quarter on the bench, or something like that . . . hoping to play a full game.”
Grigg, who had missed just one game previously into his fourth season with Richmond, initially injured his hamstring in the Round 11 Dreamtime match against Essendon.
“It was just a slight ‘hammy’ that occurred in the Dreamtime game, but I tried to get back a bit too quickly and had a bit of a mishap at training,” he said.
“So, it’s been a long six weeks watching, but it’s good to see the boys winning a few games now.
“I’m looking forward to getting back out on the park.
“Staying injury-free would be nice and, hopefully, I can get some form back and help the boys get a couple of wins back in the AFL team.”
There was a silver lining to Grigg’s time on the sidelines . . . His wife, Sarah, gave birth to the couple’s first child, Sonny in late June, so he’s been on hand to assist with all the early parenting tasks.
“It was good timing, I suppose, in regards to that. I’ve become a nappy-changing champion,” he said.
The 26-year-old also has had a coaching involvement with Richmond’s VFL team while recovering from his injury setback.
“It’s a bit different sitting up in the coaches box than playing,” he said.
“It’s good to get some experience in that and, hopefully, I don’t stuff up too much when I get back because, sometimes, it’s not very nice in there (the coaches box).”