Tigers’ Graham pushing for AFL grand final

Richmond defender Jack Grimes says he’s been impressed with Jack Graham’s recovery as the midfielder looks to prove his fitness for Saturday’s AFL grand final.

Graham dislocated his right shoulder in the preliminary final against Geelong but returned to play out the game.

On Tuesday, Grimes said the midfielder had “shocked” him with the speed of his recovery so far.

“To be honest I’m really shocked at how good he’s looking,” Grimes told reporters on Tuesday.

“He’s telling me he’s OK and he’s moving his shoulder fine and he’s getting involved in the weights room and that sort of thing, so all the signs are positive.

“But … at this early stage of the week you really don’t know and I’m really not sure about the medical staff, how they’ll tackle this one.

“But we hope to see him out there really badly because he’s a great player for us.”

On Tuesday morning, Graham and defender Nathan Broad (concussion) both began training with the main group.

Graham generally moved well and was involved in a warm-up that included some overhead marking but looked restricted with one shoulder stretch.

That said, it is unlikely he will be really tested physically until later in the week.

“It was remarkable effort, Jack, what he was able to do,” Grimes said.

“He popped his shoulder out, I think it was the first quarter and then went on to play the rest of the game on it, came out again, and just amazing, amazing effort and something we’ve spoken about a lot internally.

“But yeah, it would be heartbreaking for him to miss out but there’s other guys that have been in that same scenario.

“And this time of year unfortunately it’s the reality for players across the competition, and who knows, GWS might have some players that miss as well.

“So it’s part of footy unfortunately but all I can say is we’d really love to have him out there and we’re hoping he comes up for sure.”

Broad was in the thick of things at training and Grimes was optimistic on a potential return for the defender.

“He’s in good spirits, he seems back to normal,” Grimes said.

“I’m not sure whether he’s passed the testing and that sort of stuff yet but from all regards, talking to him just before, he seems back on Earth, which is a good result.”

Meanwhile Sydney Stack, who returned from an ankle injury in the VFL grand final, mostly stayed in a small group on the sidelines in the early part of training.

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