Our Season Summary looks back at how each GIANTS player fared during the 2015 AFL season.
Name: Ryan Griffen
Number: 32
2015 Games: 21 AFL, 0 NEAFL
AFL Fantasy Average: 79
Awards: Nil
Background: Ryan Griffen was selected with pick 3 in the 2004 NAB AFL Draft by the Western Bulldogs. He joined the GIANTS at the end of the 2014 season.
Best Game: AFL Round 20 v Port Adelaide - 31 touches, 8 tackles, 4 inside-50s.
Summary: It was the coup of the off-season with Ryan Griffen choosing to join the GIANTS in the 2014 trade period. The experienced midfielder was immediately welcomed at the club and brought a level or professionalism and a training standard that inspired his new teammates. Initially starting the season in his traditional midfield role, Griffen was the subject of close opposition tags which helped fellow midfielders Dylan Shiel, Stephen Coniglio and Adam Treloar take their game to another level. Later in the season Griffen was trialled running off half-back in a quarterback-style role which utilised his elite kicking skills. He played almost the whole season and was a great on-field leader.
Pat On The Back: Making the transition between clubs wasn’t easy given all the media attention but Griffen slotted seamlessly into the GIANTS culture and will be a big part of the club’s future.
What They Said: “The advantage of having Ryan in our team is that Adam Treloar and Dylan Shiel now pop up. This time last year they would have been sat on, so (Griffen’s) going to go through that, but he's done that for probably the best part of seven or eight years.” - GIANTS Coach Leon Cameron.
Look Ahead: It takes time for new teammates to work out each other’s strengths and weaknesses so with a season under his belt, expect Ryan Griffen to step up his game even further in 2016 after getting to know his fellow GIANTS.
