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In the excitement of Carlton’s remarkable comeback against Port Adelaide, the importance of the one percenters and desperate acts should not be underestimated. The Blues’ attack on the ball and willingness to put bodies on the line enabled the avalanche of goals in the frantic finish. Shaun Grigg wins Mike and Dan’s Play of the Week for his selfless dive and knock out of the contested ball in between three Port Adelaide players, which led to one of Kreuzer’s crucial last quarter goals.

1. Shaun, in amongst all the glam and gloss of the big last quarter goals on Sunday, you’ve been picked as our Play of the Week for that dive and knock-out of the contested ball in the last quarter. Did you see Stevo on the other side of the pack?

Yeah I saw a white jumper and thought I might be a chance to get it over to Stevo. I’ve been really concentrating on getting to the contest and putting my body in, and been working with Mark Riley and Gavin Crossisca on that aspect of my game.

2. You primarily played in attack this week, but you've spent most of the year down back. What was the thinking behind the shift?

I had a run-with role on Peter Burgoyne in the weekend’s game. One of my strengths is my versatility, and I’ve been playing wing and run with roles down back as well as a bit of time up forward. I like playing half back and on the wing, but am happy to get a game in any position. I want to stay in the team, build myself up into a regular player and continue to make a contribution on the field.

3. What did the group focus on during the 4 minute break in the last quarter?

We just focused on keeping up the momentum and to take our opportunities. We had beaten Port Adelaide in the pre season and knew that if we continued to put the pressure on them and kicked long into the forward line that we could give ourselves a chance.

4. We haven't played too well away from home in the past couple of years, but this year we're 2 for 2. In both games we've had big last quarters to win.

That’s a good point, it has been a big focus for us to play well and finish well no matter where we are playing. The past is the past and we just need to look to the future and play consistent footy at home and away.

5. Why didn't Armfield get to sing the song in the circle after his first win? Did you all just get swept away with the win?

Yeah he said that after the game. He might have been a bit shy to jump in, usually the blokes who have played their first win for the club get in the circle. Hopefully he will get another opportunity next week!

6. Is Captain Chris Judd outspoken at times like this, or is he more a ‘Do what I do’ type leader?

He has a great voice during the game, and he leads by example in the things he does on the field and the way he carries himself. He is great leader to have around the club.

7. We think you’re the first lefty we’ve had who slices rather than hooks since Scott Freeborn.  What’s that about – is that just you adjusting to AFL football or have you always done that?

I am generally a hook foot but there’s only a couple of other lefties to compare to, Simmo and Lochie Hill. We left footers tend to do things a bit differently!

8. The last time we interviewed you, you mentioned that you and Bryce Gibbs were going to celebrate goals with the ‘Up and Down Potato’. We haven’t seen it yet!

*laughs* That’s because Gibbsy doesn’t score too many goals! When he gets his next goal we might do the ‘Up and Down Potato’.

9. You may not have heard, but footy commentators seem to get you and Bower mixed up despite his massive tattoo. Can you think of anything at all that you and Bower do alike?

I can’t think for the life of me why they would get us confused. We don’t look similar at all!

10. In a similar position to the Blues, the Redan Lions are just outside the final six in the Ballarat league. Do you keep an eye on and stay in contact with your junior club?

I like to keep an eye on them, and my brother still plays there. Redan were a powerhouse in the league there, and hopefully they can sneak into the finals this year. I wanted to see a game there during the Community Week recently but they had a bye unfortunately.

11. You have a big game this week against a Collingwood side we surprised early this year. Does your preparation change for such a big game against our traditional rivals?

No change at all, we are having a normal week on the track and our preparation is similar. It will be a big crowd, I am not too sure who I will get this week as we haven’t had our team meeting to discuss it.

12. There was a rumour going around that you may have switched to Guernsey 12 over the summer – was there anything in that?

Matty Lappin asked me to wear his number 12 guernsey before the season started, but the club wanted to respect the contribution he had made to Carlton over such a long period and retire the guernsey for a year.

13. Do you still live with Sam Jacobs and Michael Jamison? Anything you want to tell us about the arrangements you have there?

We still live together but I can tell you that since the last interview, we are getting better at the cooking and cleaning. We don’t get any lessons on cooking, but the club nutritionist Jo is always in our ear about the food we eat so we are improving in the kitchen!

After injury curtailed his introduction to senior football in his debut 2007 season, Shaun Grigg has now played 8 consecutive senior games and is pushing to be an automatic selection in Carlton’s starting eighteen. The versatile young utility is starting to accumulate possessions in both defensive and attacking roles and becoming increasingly damaging with his disposal. His attack on the contested ball was a feature of his game against Port Adelaide, and the Carlton coaching staff and supporters alike are watching intently his development into a regular senior player.


Shaun Grigg in action against Port Adelaide