In the second part of an exclusive two-part series for melbournefc.com.au, 2007 first-round draftee Jack Grimes talks about being drafted, joining Melbourne and his future prospects with the red and blue.
So how have you found making the transition as an AFL listed player to Melbourne?
JG: It is very different. I didn't really have much of an idea of what was involved in being an AFL footballer, but I've realised now it's a full-time job and you're around the club a lot. It did take a lot of getting used to and I was sleeping more than I ever had before. I used to get home from training at about seven o'clock and then eat dinner and then go to bed and then I'd get up at seven o'clock the next morning. But now my body is getting used to it and I'm not as tired all of the time now, so I can focus a bit more on training. It's a really good lifestyle. I've got used to it and my body is feeling a lot better now.
Entering the draft, you were regarded as a top 15 selection, but it was difficult to know exactly where you were going to sit in the order. Where did you think you'd end up?
JG: Leading up to the draft and the draft camp, you talk to a lot of clubs and they don't really give you much of an indication, but what they all said to me was: 'We've really got no idea where you're going to go', so I didn't have much indication at all. I talked to some clubs more than others, but Melbourne I'd talked to very little and they expected me to go before their [second] pick [at No.14]. But they said: 'If you are there, we'll take you', and lucky enough they did. I couldn't have been happier on the day because I was a Melbourne supporter growing up and my whole family are Melbourne supporters as well. Mum thought I was going to go interstate because I was talking to teams like Sydney and Brisbane, but I ended up staying at home and she was happy and I'm still living there now, so it worked out even better.
You were selected at No. 14 in last year's draft, which effectively was the pick Melbourne gained for Travis Johnstone. Did you feel any pressure from that situation?
JG: Not really. I knew that was the pick Travis Johnstone was traded for and I'm actually wearing his number as well, so a few guys around the club joke about saying I've got good boots to fill, but they're not expecting me to come out this year and play like Travis Johnstone. They haven't put any pressure on me from that sense.
You were likened to a Brett Kirk-type as a junior player. How would you describe yourself as a player?
JG: I've never been called quick; so I'm not really a flashy player and I'm not one to run the length of the field with the ball, but I just try and go about my own business. I do play a few roles and last year in the under 18s, I got thrown around from the midfield to half-forward and half-back and I got the opportunity to tag a couple of blokes like Bryce Gibbs, a couple of years ago. I probably go unnoticed a lot.
You captained Vic Metro last year in the under 18 championships. Long-term, is being in the club's leadership group an ambition?
JG: I'd never really thought of myself as a leader, until the under 16s, when it was sprung upon me and I was voted captain by the team that I was in and from there I started thinking about it a bit more. I was a bit quiet to start off with and I didn't say much at training. I was pretty shy and went about my own business and then I came out of my shell and talked a little bit more on the track and on game day. At the moment, I'm trying to get my body right and I'm not really looking towards anything in the future with leadership, but it has cropped up a few times in the past when I've captained some sides and I've really enjoyed the opportunity to do that. I wouldn't hesitate down the track.
So how have you found making the transition as an AFL listed player to Melbourne?
JG: It is very different. I didn't really have much of an idea of what was involved in being an AFL footballer, but I've realised now it's a full-time job and you're around the club a lot. It did take a lot of getting used to and I was sleeping more than I ever had before. I used to get home from training at about seven o'clock and then eat dinner and then go to bed and then I'd get up at seven o'clock the next morning. But now my body is getting used to it and I'm not as tired all of the time now, so I can focus a bit more on training. It's a really good lifestyle. I've got used to it and my body is feeling a lot better now.
Entering the draft, you were regarded as a top 15 selection, but it was difficult to know exactly where you were going to sit in the order. Where did you think you'd end up?
JG: Leading up to the draft and the draft camp, you talk to a lot of clubs and they don't really give you much of an indication, but what they all said to me was: 'We've really got no idea where you're going to go', so I didn't have much indication at all. I talked to some clubs more than others, but Melbourne I'd talked to very little and they expected me to go before their [second] pick [at No.14]. But they said: 'If you are there, we'll take you', and lucky enough they did. I couldn't have been happier on the day because I was a Melbourne supporter growing up and my whole family are Melbourne supporters as well. Mum thought I was going to go interstate because I was talking to teams like Sydney and Brisbane, but I ended up staying at home and she was happy and I'm still living there now, so it worked out even better.
You were selected at No. 14 in last year's draft, which effectively was the pick Melbourne gained for Travis Johnstone. Did you feel any pressure from that situation?
JG: Not really. I knew that was the pick Travis Johnstone was traded for and I'm actually wearing his number as well, so a few guys around the club joke about saying I've got good boots to fill, but they're not expecting me to come out this year and play like Travis Johnstone. They haven't put any pressure on me from that sense.
You were likened to a Brett Kirk-type as a junior player. How would you describe yourself as a player?
JG: I've never been called quick; so I'm not really a flashy player and I'm not one to run the length of the field with the ball, but I just try and go about my own business. I do play a few roles and last year in the under 18s, I got thrown around from the midfield to half-forward and half-back and I got the opportunity to tag a couple of blokes like Bryce Gibbs, a couple of years ago. I probably go unnoticed a lot.
You captained Vic Metro last year in the under 18 championships. Long-term, is being in the club's leadership group an ambition?
JG: I'd never really thought of myself as a leader, until the under 16s, when it was sprung upon me and I was voted captain by the team that I was in and from there I started thinking about it a bit more. I was a bit quiet to start off with and I didn't say much at training. I was pretty shy and went about my own business and then I came out of my shell and talked a little bit more on the track and on game day. At the moment, I'm trying to get my body right and I'm not really looking towards anything in the future with leadership, but it has cropped up a few times in the past when I've captained some sides and I've really enjoyed the opportunity to do that. I wouldn't hesitate down the track.
