Ryan mighty

[bornadog]

Link



It has taken a while for it to happen, but there are precious few players in the AFL that make ''it'' look as good as Ryan Griffen. The ''it'' factor in this case is that almost magical period for a footballer when hard work, maturity, experience, leadership and luck manifest to elevate a player's game from ''very good'' to ''elite''.

On all available evidence this year, and the latter stages of last, the Western Bulldogs star is in the ''it'' zone.
Perhaps it is best summed up this way: For a long time, the name Griffen went with Boyd, Cooney, Murphy and Johnson. Now, it goes with Ablett, Watson, Swan and Cotchin.

Those who saw him come in as a priority pick eight years ago knew Griffen was capable of reaching the elite class. Yet it is easy for those not of Bulldog persuasion to forget he is already a club best and fairest.

Griffen makes it so. His way is quiet and unobtrusive. But whether he likes it or not, his play has thrust him to the point where he is considered among the midfield cream that will fill the five prized front-line spots in the All-Australian team.
So what has happened in the last two seasons to inspire the Dogs playmaker to get the absolute best out of himself, and finally made those outside the kennel sit up and take notice.
Those in the know at Whitten Oval say leadership was the final source of motivation he
needed to make the transition. And no doubt coach Brendan McCartney played his part too.

''From everything that's being expressed to me, Ryan is taking that leadership role very seriously, where he is not accepting mediocrity where he might have accepted it years ago,'' said Scott West, a former teammate of Griffen's and a Bulldogs and AFL legend.

''He is really blossoming into the guy that wants to make sure the standards are set. And sometimes when you do that, it actually puts pressure on you to perform, because it's one thing to tell people what they have to do, but you actually have to live up to those standards yourself.
''And from what I'm hearing, that's what has pushed him to another level.''
Griffen was not a natural leader. But when the likes of West, Brad Johnson, Luke Darcy, Chris Grant and Rohan Smith moved on, the 26-year-old had to step up and break through the ceiling.



Statistically, Champion Data ranks him as one of if not the most effective all-round player in the game since returning from injury in round seven, ranking first or in the top four in all the big midfield categories. And he tackles like he always has.

In that period, Griffen has done something he had never done before - amassed 30 possessions or more in six straight matches. It is the consistency that champions play with,'' says West. Darcy, who like West was a leader to Griffen before Griffen was a leader to others, said greater fitness had made his former teammate almost ''untaggable''.
''He looks absolutely comfortable in his own skin. He is so strong, he's so powerful, his fitness base is so big that, in this sort of form, he virtually has no weakness,'' Darcy said.

For West, perhaps the most impressive aspect of Griffen's play is that his very best has come at a time when his club desperately needs it, to remain competitive and sell hope to its supporters.
''Playing in a team that has been struggling over the last two years, accolades don't come your way, but I'm glad that he is starting to get that recognition now,'' he said.

[bornadog]

What a star.

Rocket always thought he would win a Brownlow one day, maybe this is the year.

[LostDoggy]

First couple of times i saw him do that awkward back arch with his arse and thighs and shrug a few tackles i though he'd win a Brownlow too.

Champion.

[bulldogtragic]

Can't ask for better stats than those.

[Maddog37]

Is it a bit strange to be comparing Griff to Cotchin. I feel it should be the other way round. Cotchin is good but young with some work to do to get to Griffs level.

[lemmon]

Its been a rewarding career to watch. Dashing half back flank wonderkid, midfield apprentice, a plateau where we knew the talent but wanted consistency to the final product we have now, prime mover and elite player in the comp

[Go_Dogs]

Its been a rewarding career to watch. Dashing half back flank wonderkid, midfield apprentice, a plateau where we knew the talent but wanted consistency to the final product we have now, prime mover and elite player in the comp

Great summation Lemmon. He's my favourite player by a fair stretch (and has been for a while) and it's a real credit to Griff how well he has developed over the past couple of seasons to reach this point. I'm incredibly happy for him and although I doubt he cares much, it's nice he's getting more recognition in the wider AFL community for his season thus far.

What is everyone's favourite Griff moment?

For mine, there have been a few. His 'gaffe' where he said Richmond gave up early in his career (an honest assessment by a perhaps, naive youngster which was quite amusing), his battles with Ablett early in the piece, and his game against Sydney last year where he collected 47 touches really standout.

[LostDoggy]

Great summation Lemmon. He's my favourite player by a fair stretch (and has been for a while) and it's a real credit to Griff how well he has developed over the past couple of seasons to reach this point. I'm incredibly happy for him and although I doubt he cares much, it's nice he's getting more recognition in the wider AFL community for his season thus far.

What is everyone's favourite Griff moment?

For mine, there have been a few. His 'gaffe' where he said Richmond gave up early in his career (an honest assessment by a perhaps, naive youngster which was quite amusing), his battles with Ablett early in the piece, and his game against Sydney last year where he collected 47 touches really standout.

40ish touches against Collingwood in a final in 2010 with a bung knee. One man army that day.

[Sedat]

The 2009 PF. He was magnificent that night, against the fiercest of opponents.

[1eyedog]

The night he fizzled around Jason Blake and kicked that goal.

I knew he was going to be the man.