NOW THAT the disappointment of being delisted by the Demons has passed, former Melbourne utility Jack Grimes is determined to push forward with his AFL career.
After all, he knew the writing was on the wall at Melbourne midway through the season.
He's a realist and pragmatic.
But it didn't making hearing the news he was being delisted from the club he barracked for, was once captain of, and played 100 games with in the past nine season, any easier.
Grimes admits he was shattered in the immediate aftermath.
"It was really disappointing to hear the news but I would be lying if I said that I wasn't expecting it ... with the way this year panned out," Grimes told AFL.com.au.
"I understand that's footy. I'm a realist in that sense."
Now, two weeks after finishing up at Melbourne, he understands how beneficial a fresh start might be for his career and, although he doesn't say it himself, any club that takes a punt on the 27-year-old will get a new model Grimes.
"It did knock me around a bit but moving on from that has made me determined to do something about that," Grimes said.
One of football's most solid citizens, he had the misfortunate timing of joining Melbourne when it was at its lowest ebb.
At 22, after 32 games, he was awarded the captaincy, alongside Jack Trengove, before he'd really established his standing in the game.
Captain Jacks: Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove in 2012. Picture: AFL Photos
Despite the inherent challenge of carrying that responsibility as a young man, he doesn't share the popular perception that having the title was a negative.
It's only relevant in the sense that it taught him plenty of lessons he believes will help him deal with whatever the future holds.
He hopes that future will be at another AFL club.
"I feel like a fresh start at a new club would be really good for me," Grimes said.
"I know that if I get the opportunity, I am the sort of person who will have a 100 per cent crack and put absolutely everything into it."
He did that this year, although frustrated at times that good performances with the Casey Scorpions in the VFL did not win him a regular AFL game.
His body was strong and he was a key player with the Scorpions in a Grand Final year. He regularly won more than 30 disposals a game in a midfield role and remained as persistent as misty rain.
However, his comment about winning so much of the ball reveals more about Grimes than his numbers.
"[In] a few games everyone got a bit of a lick of the ice cream, which was good," Grimes said.
When he was selected to play against Fremantle in round 16, he played well, winning 32 disposals, but after a below par performance the following week against St Kilda, in his 100th game, he was back in the VFL.
"I knew where I sat. Roosy (Paul Roos) didn't beat around the bush. He basically told me that you don't have as much leeway as a first or second year-player coming into the team," Grimes said.
Grimes understood the logic behind Roos' approach.
It made sense to him and he could see the long-term benefits Melbourne would reap from blooding its youngsters.
But it did not shake his belief in himself.
"I still do feel, moving forward, that I have a bit to offer. I feel confident in my own game and ability and know I have a lot of improvement left in me," Grimes said.
He's been fitter in the past 18 months than he was earlier in his career, and he's rekindled the energy required to make a new start after playing in winning teams with the Scorpions.
"I've felt like it re-invigorated me, in a way," Grimes said.
He's now heading off for a well-earned break, aware that he won't be the first player added to a list in spring.
He will make sure if he does get the chance, he will be ready to impress.
"[I'm] trying to treat it as any other off-season at the moment," Grimes said.
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