Chris Grant                                                                                     

Number

  3

Height

  194

Weight

  97

Birthday

  13 December 1972

Period on list

  1990 to 2004*

Senior Games

  230*

Goals

  433*

Disposals

   

Recruited From

  Daylesford, 1988 National Draft pick number 105

                                 

Honours 

  AFL All Australian 1997, 1998 & 1999. Member of the Bulldogs Team of

 

   the Century. Club Captain 2000-2003*. Club leading goal kicker 1995 (71). Club Best and Fairest 1995 and 1997. Most votes in 1997 Brownlow medal. One vote behind Brownlow medalist in 1996.

One of the greatest players ever to pull on a Bulldog's jumper. Amazing to get such a great player with such a late draft pick. He impressed from his very first match. Played at Centre Half Forward and kicked bags of goals. High marking, fast pace and could get in the rough stuff and win out. Always presented himself as a target and a headache for back men. Could read the play, knew where to go.

Occasionally  played at centre half back and full forward and in the ruck. Later in his career played as a special centre half back and became impassable.   Played with great determination. Was the target of all of the oppositions hitmen.

Was reliable kick for  goal and usually put the pressure goals through. Often he was likened to Superman and would be the natural selection to play the part in the movie.

For the first time in Brownlow history, in 1997 the player who polled the most votes did not win the medal. Chris Grant, despite having an outright lead at the end of counting, was ruled ineligible to receive the medal as he had been suspended during the season. This was due to an intercession of the AFL officials who watched the after-match video, who being an official of the AFL interfered in the reporting process and reported Chris Grant for striking. Although the umpires disagreed with the report claiming the incident to be petty the report stood and Chris was suspended for one match, thus losing any chance of winning the Brownlow. Since that time the officials have agreed not to interfere with the reporting process. Too late for Chris? They should go back and give him the medal. It is an umpires medal, not a medal. I will not spoil this site by mentioning any names or using any profanities that I am tempted to do.

At the start of the 2002 season Chris was unable to get player's insurance for a while because of a congenital neck problem. He suffered a knee injury in the first round of 2003 and stayed out recovering for the rest of the season.

At one stage he was offered big money to go to play for Port Adelaide, but he preferred to stay and play for his beloved Bulldogs. Also other approaches were believed to have been made by other clubs.

Click to return to Home page