Grigg, a 190cm, 85kg, tough, hard-running midfielder, was traded to Richmond by Carlton during the AFL’s recently-completed exchange period.
“I really rate him. As a young bloke coming through, I’ve never seen someone win contested ball as well as he does,” Stevens said.
Stevens, who played 231 games of AFL football all-up (127 with the Power from 1998-03 and 104 with the Blues from 2004-09), acted as a mentor for Grigg at Carlton and has closely followed his league career.
He believes the time was right for the 22-year-old to seek a new football home at Tigerland . . .
“Shaun’s form in the ‘twos’, in the first half of the year, was superb . . . I think he averaged more than 30 touches for about 12 weeks, but he just couldn’t get into the ‘ones’,” Stevens said.
“Then, when he finally did break into the Carlton side, his form was really good over the last six or seven weeks of the season.
“I just think he’s getting better and better and, if he has a good pre-season, he’ll be a great pick-up for Richmond.
“His versatility will be a real asset. He’s spent a bit of time playing across half-back, he’s played wing, and he can also play forward.
“What a lot of people don’t realise is that he’s about the 6ft 2in mark. So, he’s a good size, and can play tall as well as small.
“His work ethic around the footy club was just phenomenal for a kid. He does everything right and is just one of those all-time great blokes.”
