• Who's on the move? Nick Bowen tracks 2016's free agents
IT APPEARS increasingly unlikely that former Melbourne captain Jack Grimes will be with the Demons in 2017 with future opportunities looking limited.
The restricted free agent is yet to make a senior appearance in 2016 after playing 12 senior games in 2015.
After being trialled on the wing during the NAB Challenge he has not been able to secure a spot in the improving Melbourne line-up, although he has been named as an emergency more than half a dozen times this year.
Grimes has been a victim of circumstance to some extent with the emergence of youngsters such as Jayden Hunt, Tomas Bugg, Josh Wagner and the return of Jack Trengove also forcing other experienced players such as Colin Garland and Lynden Dunn to play VFL throughout the season.
It's been a fall from grace for the 27-year-old former co-captain of the club who remains stuck on 98 games.
He finished second in the 2012 best and fairest and was co-captain in 54 games between 2012-2014.
A well-respected figure at the Demons he has played well for ladder leaders Casey Scorpions in the VFL in 2016.
Grimes' manager Anthony McConville, from Mac's Sports, told AFL.com.au that Grimes was doing everything he could to return to the senior team as soon as possible and was entirely focused on that task.
However, McConville said that although he remained hopeful the door could open anytime soon he was aware his client was in a tough situation.
"Obviously, I'm concerned Jack hasn't played all year and has been fit and healthy," McConville said.
"I am concerned that his future at Melbourne looks limited."
The Demons are yet to sign key defender Tom McDonald and small defender Neville Jetta, who is also a free agent and understood to have attracted interest from several AFL clubs.
Jack Watts looks likely to stay at Melbourne but remains unsigned beyond the end of this season, while other former co-captain Jack Trengove is also only contracted until the end of 2016.
The days of leading the Demons seem long in the past for Jack Grimes. Picture: AFL Media
Trengove returned to the senior side in round 11 after good form in the VFL following a two-year absence through injury.
Melbourne plays Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday as it looks to stay in finals contention.
