AFTER a difficult start to the season, Shaun Grigg is starting to recapture the form of his breakout 2008 campaign.
The 21-year-old midfielder gathered 28 possessions against the Tigers in his fifth game in succession after his second injury lay-off of the season and he couldn't be happier to be back playing regular senior footy.
"I had a pretty good pre-season and I was ready to go, but had a little hiccup with the hamstring at the start of the year which was followed by the ankle injury," Grigg recalls.
"That's just AFL footy for you though. Last year I played 20 games and really started to find my feet as a footballer which gave me a lot of confidence going into this year.
"Although I've missed a few games here and there this season, I'm still building on that confidence and feel as though I can play a big role for the team for the rest of the year.
"When you're missing out on senior football it is pretty disappointing, but you've just got to put your head down and get your body right. I'm fighting fit now and starting to string a few games together so I'm confident that's all behind me."
Grigg's versatility within the midfield unit was sorely missed earlier in the year. One of the common misconceptions in AFL footy is that every midfielder chases the ball and if you're not racking up big numbers, you're not playing well.
But the reality is there are many different roles that must be filled each week and Grigg has displayed an ability to do them all well.
"You definitely all have to work hard for it all to come together," he says.
"We have various roles within the midfield and everyone has to play their part for it to work. Sometimes you go into a match knowing you're not going to get the ball, but playing your position and doing a role means that someone else is going to get hold of it."
More-heralded players like Chris Judd, Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs are often the names that come to mind when you think of the Carlton midfield.
Grigg can also go and get the ball when called upon to do so, but he doesn't mind taking a back seat to those boys.
"My role can change from week to week and quarter to quarter, so I've just got to be on my toes," he says.
"I'm just giving a few of the blokes in the midfield a bit of a chop out. Guys like Murphy, Juddy and Gibbsy need a rest and I'm happy to come in and play my role.
"We all work at throwing in some blocks for those guys and we're also mindful of the opposition's most dangerous ball-getter as well.
"Sometimes you'll get it and other times you'll be doing your best to make sure a teammate does. You've got to mix it up so hopefully you don't become too predictable.
"We've got a lot of confidence in our structures and if everyone plays their part then the result should look after itself.
"I just want to play my role for the team and if I can do that I don't mind sneaking under the radar."
