Bulldogs champion Chris Grant back in love with the game

[The Coon Dog]

Mike Sheahan - Herald Sun - 25 June

IN the end, Chris Grant simply fell out of love with football.

After an intense 18-year relationship, the romance was gone. Grant had tired of her unrelenting demands. She had hurt him in more ways than one, teasing him with promises rarely kept, leaving him tired, drained and frustrated.

They had been together since 1990, he the shy, footballing prodigy from country Victoria, she the ageless temptress with a history of breaking young hearts. There was the usual early bliss and numerous memorable moments along the way, but 15 years in, things started to change for him.

Despite his unwavering commitment to her year after year, his willingness to keep giving without complaint, she continued to test him, introducing more and more obstacles, as if determined to break him. The usual things, form and injuries, plus finals disappointments and, for him, Brownlow Medal heartbreak.

Article in full...

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Bulldogs champion Chris Grant back in love with the game

Nice article.

[comrade]

Re: Bulldogs champion Chris Grant back in love with the game

My favourite player of all time.

I was guttered when I first heard he had quietly retired, that he didn't give us a chance to cheer him off after the last game of 2007. But that was the way he wanted it.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Bulldogs champion Chris Grant back in love with the game

My favourite player of all time.

Easy to understand why, a champion on & off the field.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Bulldogs champion Chris Grant back in love with the game

My favourite player of all time.

Same.

Getting the chance to watch him week in & week out, was an absolute pleasure.

[LongWait]

Re: Bulldogs champion Chris Grant back in love with the game

Thanks CoonDog - in Queensland it is not easy to get footy news, so I really appreciate your posting of the media articles.

Nice of Sheehan to end the article with such a warm endorsement of Granty - he didn't have to do it, which makes it more genuine I think. Kudos Mike.

[chef]

Re: Bulldogs champion Chris Grant back in love with the game

My favourite player of all time.

I was guttered when I first heard he had quietly retired, that he didn't give us a chance to cheer him off after the last game of 2007. But that was the way he wanted it.

Mine too. I was lucky enough to see his last game, I would have been gutted if I missed it.

[westdog54]

Re: Bulldogs champion Chris Grant back in love with the game

Thoroughly enjoyed reading that article. Answered a lot of questions. The best footballers are always the ones who have that little bit of perspective about where football sits in their lives. Glad Granty is doing well and enjeying life.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Bulldogs champion Chris Grant back in love with the game

For me, the article raises another question. OK, so for Granty we all loved and adored him, and any Bulldogs supporter who shouted out something negative to him at a game would have been strung up by the nearest fellow Dog. But in the case of other senior players struggling to continue to “fight the good fight” as Sheahan puts it, I wonder how much harder it is for them when they don't have the same level of love and support.

As a pure example, I wonder if Gia gets mentally sick of football but struggles on, only to be derided by fans everywhere as “soft” and a “liability”. Does he wonder why the hell he bothers?

This, combined with all the things he mentions, such as endless meetings, corporate functions, etc. are inevitably going to make a bloke wonder why he started out kicking the footy to begin with.

It seems to me that the veterans shoulder too much responsibility and expectation. Barry Hall is our current Chris Grant, expected by the uneducated amongst us to win the Coleman and kick 6 in the Granny, but in the end, a bloke pushing into his 30's should be cheered for simply keeping up with the 19 year olds running around beside him, and after a decade in the game, could be forgiven for being let out of the odd meeting here and there.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Bulldogs champion Chris Grant back in love with the game

Sheahan with a long over due suck up to Chris, after all the rubbish he dished up in his direction over the years

[Missing Dog]

Re: Bulldogs champion Chris Grant back in love with the game

Still warms the old cockles I love this bloke always have always will like BJ just got it done loved the club respects the supporters and got shafted by the game.When we do win one they along with quite a few others belong on the dias at the western oval being told that they own the cup too!!!!

[Missing-Dog]

Re: Bulldogs champion Chris Grant back in love with the game

Why is it that when best in the AFL lists get thrown up West, Johnson and especially Grant get completely snubbed? Chris was at his absolute best better than anyone, and at his worst second to Carey (he was also better for longer). The complete lack of respect these guys get is astounding. Especially when you consider the crazy media love for guys like Buckley, Harvey, Archer and Hird. The first two also never experienced the ultimate success and the second two are the most overated players in existence.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Bulldogs champion Chris Grant back in love with the game

Why is it that when best in the AFL lists get thrown up West, Johnson and especially Grant get completely snubbed? Chris was at his absolute best better than anyone, and at his worst second to Carey (he was also better for longer). The complete lack of respect these guys get is astounding. Especially when you consider the crazy media love for guys like Buckley, Harvey, Archer and Hird. The first two also never experienced the ultimate success and the second two are the most overated players in existence.

Archer and Hird overated !!!!!!! what absolute tripe I would put Chis and Brad up with these 4 easilly and I am as one eyed red white and blue as anyone but the 4 players you named also deserve the recognition they get they are all out and out stars as are Chris,Brad and not to forget Scotty West!!!!

[Missing-Dog]

Re: Bulldogs champion Chris Grant back in love with the game

Archer and Hird overated !!!!!!! what absolute tripe I would put Chis and Brad up with these 4 easilly and I am as one eyed red white and blue as anyone but the 4 players you named also deserve the recognition they get they are all out and out stars as are Chris,Brad and not to forget Scotty West!!!!

Media spin! Hird and Archer won premierships in really good sides. Archer was a very good defender with alot of courage nothing more nothing less. Hird was a very good mid/half forward who benefitted from being in one of the best teams ever and did some very nice flashy things. Neither could hold a candle to Grant or Johnson especially when it comes to consistency and longevity.

[Greystache]

Re: Bulldogs champion Chris Grant back in love with the game

Archer and Hird overated !!!!!!! what absolute tripe I would put Chis and Brad up with these 4 easilly and I am as one eyed red white and blue as anyone but the 4 players you named also deserve the recognition they get they are all out and out stars as are Chris,Brad and not to forget Scotty West!!!!

West is the one I can't understand being so under rated, he was every bit the player Harvey was and more. Perhaps if he had've won the 2000 & 2006 Brownlow's like he should've then things would be different.