Grigg shone with 27 touches in a pivotal midfield role during the Blues' last NAB Cup game against Geelong, but hamstring and then ankle injuries would conspire to derail his season.
He made his first AFL appearance in round three, but was out again after just two games as he struggled for fitness and form. The 21-year-old would go on to manage just 10 games for the year, but he's returned to pre-season training determined to take heed of the lessons of a frustrating year.
"Everyone plays with niggles, but you've got to be able to recognise when you're not right to play," Grigg says.
"It was a difficult year in that respect, but I've definitely learned how to listen to my body a bit better.
"It's frustrating when you're body's not right because you train all year to play and no one likes to miss out.
"Half the battle is to stay on the field, but 'touch wood' I'm pretty confident I'll be able to stay out there this year."
Grigg had his troublesome left ankle operated on after the season's conclusion and he's given the repaired joint the thumbs up. He joined in the very first official session just over a fortnight ago and he's enjoying being back amongst it.
"It's definitely good to have a break mentally, but halfway through the break I was looking to get back into it again," he says.
"You miss the competitiveness within the group and on the field, so it's great to be back into it.
"This time of year it's about getting the legs ticking over again and everyone's got their competitions going within the group with weights and skinfolds and that sort of thing.
"Its hard work, but pre-season is always a bit of fun around this time. There's always a joke on the go which makes it a bit easier."
But while the Blues are easing into their pre-season, Grigg has done enough of them now to know that the intensity will be turned right up soon enough.
"About a month in, it starts to get you a bit mentally with the early mornings. It's pretty much about eating, sleeping and training," he says.
"It does get to you at times, but the beauty of it is you train with 40 mates and everyone helps each other through it."
Fellow midfielder Kade Simpson is Grigg's arch-rival in training at the moment, and while he reckons he's got Simmo covered in the gym, he's not so confident on the skinfolds given Simpson's traditionally slim physique.
With the Blues now looking firmly ahead to 2010, the shattering finals loss to the Lions seems a long time ago, but again Grigg feels there are powerful lessons to be taken from adversity.
"It was a good experience to play in that final up in Brisbane and I really think I and the team can build on that," he says.
"It's a new era. A lot of experience has left, but you don't know what's ahead of you. All we can do is train hard and work on the game plan which should put us in a good position to attack the season."
