Season in short:
An injury cruelled pre-season set the tone for what would be a frustrating year for the 25 year-old.
After an eye-catching finish to the 2013 season where the versatile forward’s form mirrored that of the team, Grant was denied the chance to continue where he left off.
Landing awkwardly from a marking contest during a pre-season training drill in January, an ensuing foot injury would see Grant miss the first half of the home and away season.
After a month in the VFL, Grant earned his place in the senior side for the Round 12 match against Brisbane, before backing up for consecutive matches against Collingwood and Port Adelaide.
Grant was influential in the Dogs’ round 13 win over Collingwood, collecting a season-best 20 disposals and bagging an important last quarter goal.
A head clash and broken nose against the Power, meant Grant spent another stint on the sideline, returning only to the senior fold once again in round 21 against North Melbourne.
Grant finished the season in the VFL, and was a part of Footscray’s victorious VFL Grand Final side, collecting 20 disposals, five marks, five tackles and a goal in the win.
The stat that mattered:
Grant’s return of just four matches was his lowest games tally in six years, since his debut season in 2009. A hapless run of injury had an undeniable impact, something that the 2007 first round draft pick will be hoping for more luck with in 2015.
What they said:
“It’s been a little bit of a frustrating year…” – Jarrad Grant