The confidence growing within the wiry frame of talented, young Richmond key defender Dylan Grimes is underlined through some 2012 season statistical analysis.

This time last year, Grimes had just established himself as a permanent member of the Tiger backline.  He’d recorded a then equal AFL record 15 spoils in the Round 3 clash with Hawthorn at the MCG and was earning praise for his defensive efforts.
But, 12 months on, it’s clear there’s much more to Dylan Grimes’ game than a well-timed fist to spoil opposition forwards and kill the contest.

Grimes has emerged from his season-ending hamstring injury in the 2011 Dreamtime Blockbuster, and is now being hailed as one of the competition’s best young key backmen, highly efficient in both the defensive and offensive aspects of the game.
The 20-year-old is averaging more than 16 disposals and seven marks per match this season.  He had a career-high 24 disposals and 13 marks in Richmond’s win against Sydney at the MCG last Saturday.

After seven rounds this season, Grimes is ranked third overall in the competition for total marks, with 54, just behind teammate Alex Rance (55) and Essendon’s Brent Stanton (62).

Grimes received an AFL Rising Star nomination back in Round 3 and, four weeks on, is now a warm favorite to win the prestigious award.

There is no doubt he is one of the big success stories of the Tigers’ 2012 season so far.blog comments powered by Disqus