Ahead of Ryan Griffen's 250th game this weekend, we've gone through the archives to find some of the big moments from his career, which started with the Western Bulldogs back in 2005.
A sign of things to come on debut
After being selected with a priority selection for the Western Bulldogs (No.3 overall) in the 2004 National Draft, Griffen made his debut in round 4, 2005 against the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco Oval. He made a solid first impression, gathering 12 disposals and kicking two goals, going on to play 17 games in his debut season and finishing runner up in the NAB Rising Star.
An All-Australian Season
Griffen’s 2013 season was brilliant, earning him All Australian honours. He averaged 29 disposals a game, recording 30 or more touches on 11 occasions and twice topping 40. He booted 14 goals and claimed his second Charles Sutton Medal as Bulldogs club champion. Griffen was named on the wing in the All Australian team, while a future GIANTS team-mate and friend Jeremy Cameron was named at full forward.
Stepping up his leadership
On the back of his All Australian season, Griffen was appointed Bulldogs captain for 2014 - what would be his final year at the club. He guided the Bulldogs through a tough season, which yielded just seven wins, but had a solid year on a personal note, averaging 23 disposals and five tackles a game.
Joining the GIANTS
After 10 seasons at the Western Bulldogs, Ryan Griffen wanted a fresh start. A high-profile trade secured his move to the GIANTS, which saw him reunited with former teammates Callan Ward and Dylan Addison, and former Dogs assistant coach Leon Cameron who had just completed his first season as senior coach of the GIANTS.
First win in new colours
It didn’t take long for Griffen to taste success with his new club, with the GIANTS beating St Kilda in round one, 2015. A 10-year veteran of the game, Griffen was taken back with the time-honoured Gatorade shower, alongside former Brisbane Lion Joel Patfull, who had also crossed to the GIANTS. It was a strong debut from Griffen, who racked up a handy 21 disposals and had five rebound 50s in the 9-point win.
Injury troubles
Griffen showed he was willing to bleed for the cause when he was forced to leave the field under the blood rule against the Gold Coast Suns in round 16, 2015. While he played 21 of a possible 22 in his first year at the club, Griffen was restricted to 15 matches in 2016, and played just three in 2017 after two separate ankle injuries wrote off his season. But with true resilience, he has worked his way back and is in fine form in 2018 having played eight consecutive matches since making his return in round four.
Finding full flight in new role
Griffen’s return to form was best demonstrated with his performance in the GIANTS’ stirring win over Adelaide last Sunday. He gave the GIANTS a strong start to the match with the team’s opening two goals, finishing with three for the match, and had 22 important possessions. In his new role as a permanent forward, Griffen is averaging 16 disposals and 1.3 goals a game and, ahead of his 250th game, is back to his best.
