bornadog
28-06-2013, 03:47 PM
Link (http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/ryan-mighty-20130627-2p0a0.html)
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/mmsalih/art-353-griffen-300x0_zps9fb2cf8f.jpg (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/mmsalih/media/art-353-griffen-300x0_zps9fb2cf8f.jpg.html)
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.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/mmsalih/art-353-griffen-graph-300x0_zpsfc73fbb7.jpg (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/mmsalih/media/art-353-griffen-graph-300x0_zpsfc73fbb7.jpg.html)
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.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/mmsalih/art-353-griffen-300x0_zps9fb2cf8f.jpg (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/mmsalih/media/art-353-griffen-300x0_zps9fb2cf8f.jpg.html)
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.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/mmsalih/art-353-griffen-graph-300x0_zpsfc73fbb7.jpg (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/mmsalih/media/art-353-griffen-graph-300x0_zpsfc73fbb7.jpg.html)
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.