Jack Grimes: Deck of Dream Team 2011

Name: Jack Grimes
Club: Melbourne
Position: Defender
Bye Rounds: 5 & 16 (both multi)
2010 Average: 81.9
2010 Games Played: 14
Predicted Average: 90

Why should I pick him? In 2009, Jack Grimes was one of the better picks of the season, despite only playing 11 games. He knocked up an average of 89.2 points with some big DT games: 4 tons including a massive 142 against West Coast that I saw live. It was one of my proudest moments as a Dream Team coach. Watching this bloke I purchased for under $100K go out and do that. It was bliss. In the first 14 rounds of 2010, his output didn’t match ’09 however he still had 6 games over 85 with a big 128 against the Cats. Grimes certainly is a Dream Team player. He runs around racking up possessions in the back half averaging double figure kicks and almost 6 marks per game. It’s not out of the question that he will be spending more and more time up the ground. He has been training well and is now in the Melbourne leadership group. This promotion shows the faith the club has in the 21 year old.

Why shouldn’t I pick him? Injuries have plagued Grimes’ career to date, so durability isn’t all that healthy. These have mainly been back/hamstring related which has kept him to only 11 games in ’09 and 14 games in ’10. But at the moment, he is tracking well and having ‘a full preseason’. He can also go missing in games. In 2010, consistency wasn’t great with 4 games under 60 points. Frustrating for all owners.

Deck of DT Rating. QUEEN – If he can stay fit, an average of 90 isn’t out of the question. He will mature a lot as a (Dream Team) player this year. A very good call for a coach going for the league win as Melbourne’s two byes are multi-bye rounds. For those going for the car, Round 16 could be a bit of an issue if you’re looking at players like Otten/Broughton/Duffield because Adelaide and Fremantle share byes then and cover in the backline could be a bit limited by then. I’d love to have Grimes because I know he will be a DT slut for the next few years… and as someone put on his profile on FanFooty, he could be the next Joel Bowden. Now that would be awesome!