Toast Chris Grant - A Retrospectus

[Lucky Star]

Game #72 – Round 17, 1993 vs Melbourne at Western Oval (24/7/1993)

Kicked 1.2 from 15k, 5hb in 13-point loss to the Demons.

Respective centre half-forwards Garry Lyon and Chris Grant had willing opponents in Barry Standfield and David Neitz

David Neitz

Age

49

Ht

191cm

Wt

100kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.8

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

2.7

2star

M

4.9

5star

T

0.9

3star

G

2.1

5star

No current season stats available

D

10.4

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

0.6

3star

G

1.0

4star

, but their class shone through as the game progressed.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #71 – Round 16, 1993 vs Collingwood at Victoria Park (17/7/1993)

One of our best, kicking 3.7 from 16k, 2hb in 64-point loss to the Magpies.

Bulldog centre half-forward Chris Grant made his mark on the match when switched from Jason McCartney

Jason Mccartney

Age

50

Ht

191cm

Wt

95kg

Pos.

D/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.7

3star

K

7.1

3star

HB

3.5

3star

M

3.6

4star

T

0.8

3star

No current season stats available

D

10.0

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

4.2

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

0.6

3star

to full-forward. Granty also provided the highlight of the day by finishing off the first goal of the second term. It sprang from a typical Liberatore tackle on McCartney, a mere 28 centimetres taller. Awarded the free, Liberatore found Grant to create a goal out of sheer grit.

That highlight plus Sav Rocca kicking 10 goals can be viewed on YouTube:

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #70 – Round 15, 1993 vs Richmond at MCG (11/7/1993)

9k, 4hb in 16-point win over the Tigers.

The Bulldogs clawed back to win after trailing for most of the day, with usual stars Granty and Leon Cameron

Leon Cameron

Age

51

Ht

185cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.2

4star

K

12.4

5star

HB

4.7

3star

M

3.6

4star

T

0.9

3star

No current season stats available

D

20.8

5star

K

14.4

5star

HB

6.4

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

0.8

3star

spending time on the bench.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #69 – Round 14, 1993 vs Geelong at Kardinia Park (3/7/1993)

Kicked 1.0 from 13k, 3hb in 56-point loss to the Cats.

Grant tried hard but was never able to take charge during the game.

The Bulldogs at least managed to restrict Gary Ablett to 5.4:

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #68 – Round 13, 1993 vs Brisbane at Western Oval (26/6/1993)

16k, 3hb in 28-point win over the Bears.

This game was notable for being Doug Hawkins' 300th game and future coach Luke Beveridge collecting 3 Brownlow votes. Bravo, Bevo!

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #67 – Round 12, 1993 vs Sydney at Western Oval (19/6/1993)

One of our best, kicking 4.3 from 11k, 3hb in 25-point win over the Swans.

Granty was by far the pick of all forwards in the game and moving him from centre half-forward to full-forward paid off for the Bulldogs. Early in the first quarter, as the ball dribbled out of the pack, Turtle soccered it between the posts and scored the goal of the day. Ron Barassi threw first Sanford Wheeler (!) then Andrew Dunkley

Andrew Dunkley

Age

55

Ht

192cm

Wt

100kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.7

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

5.3

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

1.2

3star

No current season stats available

D

12.4

4star

K

8.2

4star

HB

4.2

4star

M

4.2

4star

T

1.4

4star

at him, but both were outmatched and it was not until the last term, when Mark Bayes took over, that Grant's charge was checked and his play confined to the wing.

A mere 6 rounds later, Sydney unveiled their newest recruit:

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #66 – Round 11, 1993 vs Adelaide at Football Park (13/6/1993)

Kicked 1.2 from 8k, 2hb in 45-point loss to the Crows.

Starts well, ends badly:

 

[Lucky Star]

State of Origin 1993 - Victoria vs NSW/ACT at MCG (1/6/1993)

1k in 65-point win over a combined NSW/ACT side.

Granty had a quiet night and spent long stints on the bench.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #65 – Round 10, 1993 vs Hawthorn at Western Oval (29/5/1993)

One of our best, kicking 2.0 from 8k, 2hb in 70-point loss to the Hawks.

Neither Chris Grant nor Danny Del-Re got much change out of Chris Langford as they swapped between full-forward and half-forward, and Ray Jencke successfully minded Grant when he was out of the square.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #64 – Round 9, 1993 vs St Kilda at Western Oval (22/5/1993)

Kicked 2.1 from 13k, 4hb in 64-point win over the Saints.

Granty impressed with his skill, drive and tenacity all day. Most of his work was across the half-forward line and outside scoring distance, but he passed to teammates, ran to make position and always worked hard to be involved in the contest. One passage of play was typical of his efforts. In the second quarter, he sprinted to get to a contest but the ball did not come to him. Undaunted, he kept running, a rushed kick spilled into space and Turtle gathered the loose ball and goaled from 40 metres out. That solo run summed up Footscray's performance: victory via effort and commitment.

Lowlight for Granty came at half-time, after marking strongly and well on an angle near goal just as the siren went. After lining up, he took a step to his right to improve his angle. Judged to have attempted to play on after the siren, Turtle had the ball taken from him.

Recap courtesy of Channel 7 news:

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #63 – Round 8, 1993 vs Carlton at Princes Park (15/5/1993)

Kicked 1.1 from 9k, 8hb in 28-point win over the Blues.

Footscray had significant contributions from Leon Cameron, Keenan Reynolds and Chris Grant (in battle with Mil Hanna) in attack while the Bulldog defence stood firm and resolute.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #62 – Round 7, 1993 vs North Melbourne at Western Oval (8/5/1993)

One of our best, kicking 3.0 from 11k, 5hb in 31-point loss to the Kangaroos.

From The Age:

"Nearly anything the Bulldogs achieved yesterday had something to do with Keenan Reynolds; better known to the football public as a rugged defender, but after 13 marks, 26 possessions and two goals from a forward pocket, rapidly emerging as an attacker of some class. Although spearhead Danny Del-Re booted four goals and the silky smooth Chris Grant kicked three, it was Reynolds who appeared a greater threat, taking some fine overhead grabs for his moderate 188 centimetres, and showing mobility. Wheeler said his other forwards should pause and have a look at how hard Reynolds had worked for his chances, but Grant, far from the Dogs' worst, mind you, had an even better example. It was he, after all, who finished the afternoon standing alongside Wayne Carey at centre half-back."


The magic finger.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #61 – Round 6, 1993 vs West Coast Eagles at Subiaco (2/5/1993)

Kicked 3.0 from 12k, 4hb in 41-point loss to the Eagles.

From The Age: Centre half-forward Chris Grant, earmarked for future greatness by many impressed observers, was the Bulldogs' leading scorer with three goals.


Disgraceful.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #60 - Round 5, 1993 vs Essendon at Western Oval (24/4/1993)

One of our best, kicking 1.0 from 11k, 3hb in 46-point win over 1993's eventual premier, the Bombers.

This game marked Granty's first match of the year following ankle surgery. Although not fully match fit, Turtle showed flashes of brilliance to go with his early heroics.

The Chris Grant-Mark Harvey battle at centre half-forward for the Bulldogs was one of the game's keen contests. Grant clearly won the first half, but Harvey took the honours as the game progressed.

Perfectly preserved in amber on YouTube:

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #59 – Preliminary Final, 1992 vs Geelong at MCG (19/9/1992)

One of our best, kicking 2.0 from 12k, 5hb in 64-point loss to the Cats.

GRANT’S GAME

With the Bulldogs playing Geelong for the second time in the finals series, Granty led well and marked strongly, matched against modern day Port Adelaide supercoach Ken Hinkley. With limited supply in the second half, Turtle’s efforts on the big stage capped off an admirable first finals series.

Check out the game on YouTube:




GRANT’S YEAR

After a solid season in 1991, Granty raised the bar in 1992 to become one of the AFL's elite. His strong hands and silky skills saw him kick 50.28 from centre half forward. In just his third year, Grant played 24 games and collected 8 Brownlow votes. His performance saw him placed 29th in Mike Sheahan’s pre-season top 50 for 1993.

Grant was always a calm figure in the centre of a storm. In 1992 the Bulldogs reached the finals just three seasons after the club had been revived from its deathbed. The excitement was too much for some, and the Bulldogs went under in their first final. Grant was clearly best on ground as the Bulldogs rebounded to defeat St Kilda in the semi-final. Their future was in the hands of a 19-year-old.

BULLDOGS YEAR

In 1992, Footscray narrowly the missed minor premiership, finishing second on the ladder with 16 wins, 6 losses and 129.8%.

The Bulldogs lost their first final but hit back with a magnificent first semi win over St. Kilda, before being pummelled by Geelong again for the second time in three weeks.

Ruckman Scott Wynd celebrated a dominant year by winning the Brownlow medal and the club was “reborn” as it became the first AFL club to receive gaming machines in 1992.

Season highlights are lovingly preserved on the “Diamond Dogs” VHS tape, out now:

 

[Fossie 32]

Great work LS! You could do Granty the book and collaborate with SOB in Granty the movie

 

[Lucky Star]

Great work LS! You could do Granty the book and collaborate with SOB in Granty the movie

Signed copy coming your way Fossie. Granty's career would make for a good book, plenty of drama. Possibly titled "Turtle Power"?

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #58 – Semi Final, 1992 vs St Kilda at Waverley Park (12/9/1992)

BOG, kicking 5.1 from 19k, 6hb in 29-point win over the Saints.

Granty played a starring role as the Dogs marched into a preliminary final with a comfortable win over the Saints at Waverley Park. In a superb match-winning performance, Turtle booted a game-high five goals, collected 25 disposals and took 11 marks. Bravo, Chris!

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #57 – Qualifying Final, 1992 vs Geelong at MCG (6/9/1992)

Kicked 1.0 from 8k, 6hb in 61-point loss to the Cats.

Making his finals debut, Granty kicked a nice goal in the first quarter but had to watch on with his teammates as Geelong piled on 15 goals to three in the second half. He did however get to witness up close as Danny Del-Re kicked 8 goals in a losing side.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #56 – Round 24, 1992 vs Brisbane at Western Oval (29/8/1992)

BOG, kicking 3.2 from 11k, 11hb (also 11 marks) in 57-point win over the Bears, collecting two Brownlow votes.


Time to give up the gaspers.

 

[Fossie 32]

Game #56 – Round 24, 1992 vs Brisbane at Western Oval (29/8/1992)

BOG, kicking 3.2 from 11k, 11hb (also 11 marks) in 57-point win over the Bears, collecting two Brownlow votes.

View attachment 1160155
Time to give up the gaspers.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #55 – Round 23, 1992 vs West Coast at Western Oval (23/8/1992)

Kicked 0.1 from 7k, 5hb in 30-point win over the Eagles.

Highlights on YouTube below:

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #54 – Round 22, 1992 vs Carlton at Princes Park (15/8/1992)

5k, 1hb in 82-point loss to the Blues.

Archaeologists have been working on finding something positive to say about this game, but found nothing so far.

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #53 – Round 20, 1992 vs North Melbourne at Waverley Park (1/8/1992)

One of our best, kicking 3.0 from 10k, 8hb in 47-point win over the Kangaroos.

The Bulldogs moved to top of the ladder and A Current Affair was all over it. Thank you Jana for your crystal gaze:

 

[Lucky Star]

Game #52 – Round 19, 1992 vs Sydney at Western Oval (25/7/1992)

Kicked 1.3 from 6k, 3hb in 46-point win over the Swans.

The Bulldogs continued their fine run during the 1992 season, although by year's end not all were happy about it: