Jonathon Griffin Biography

Richmond is hopeful Ben Griffiths can return in 2017, despite the uncertainty surrounding his recovery from concussion issues.

"He's back training now and taking some sort of knocks, obviously not to the head but to the side and things like that," Richmond assistant coach Justin Leppitsch told Triple M.

"He's building his confidence in that area.

"It's obviously such an unknown isn't it, concussion and what happens inside the brain. So we're obviously very mindful of his health as well."

Fremantle ruckman Jon Griffin says he is pleased star Aaron Sandilands has signed on for 2017 and believes the veteran's presence continues to drive him to get better.

Griffin signed a contract extension until the end of 2017. Sandilands also re-signed last month but Griffin said he was not concerned about what that could mean for his opportunities next year.

"To have him sign is great for the footy club, it's awesome," Griffin said.

"To have that competition within the club obviously drives me to get better and to become a stronger player. I love having Aaron around."

Jon Griffin signs a new deal with Fremantle that will keep him at the club until the end of 2017.

Nick Suban and Jon Griffin sign three- and one-year contract extensions respectively to stay at Fremantle.

"It was probably the most consistent year that I've had," Suban said in a club statement.

"I thought it just boiled down to having a full pre-season. I'm really looking forward to working hard and trying to get back into the team again with another solid pre-season."

Griffin ruptured his ACL in round seven against Collingwood and missed the rest of the 2013 season but hopes to bounce back stronger than ever in 2014.

"It was a dream come true to be able to play for Fremantle," Griffin said in a club statement.

"Rehab is going really well and I am ticking all the boxes to make sure my body is 100 per cent.

"I'm pushing for round one, I have all the support of the physios and strength and conditioning coaches. I just can't wait to get out there and play for Freo again."

Jon Griffin will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL against Collingwood at Patersons Stadium.

"Jon's been in great form and it's bitterly disappointing," Fremantle general manager of football operations Chris Bond said.

"But knowing his character and professionalism, Jon will be doing everything that's required through his rehabilitation phase to be back playing footy next season."

Despite solid form this season, Fremantle ruckman Jon Griffin is dropped from the side to face Geelong at the MCG in an elimination due to the prospect of rain.

"It is unfortunate for Jon, but we just think there's a chance of a shower, and it's a night game," Fremantle stoppages coach Mark Stone said.

"We don't want to get caught too big, so we've gone for a bit more mobility with our selections.

"We'll take a full squad just to cover off all bases just in case anything happens between here and the game."

An AFL inquiry has cleared Fremantle of wrongdoing over the late inclusion of Aaron Sandilands in place of Jon Griffin against Richmond.

"Following consultation with the AFL Medical Commissioners the AFL is satisfied with the explanation provided and no further action will be taken," an AFL statement said.

The AFL has asked Fremantle to explain the late inclusion of Aaron Sandliand on Sunday and to justify the extent of Jon Griffin's injury such that he was unable to take his place in the side as selected.

Ross Lyon defends Aaron Sandilands' late inclusion after Damien Hardwick questions the move.

Sandilands was named as an emergency after not having played since round 11. He was then a late inclusion in the game against Richmond after Jon Griffin "tweaked his groin" in the final on-ground warm-up and was withdrawn 10 minutes before the opening bounce.

"Look, that's within the rules. Whether it's in the spirit of the game, I don't know. That's for you guys (media) to find out," Hardwick said.

"You prepare one way and then all of a sudden, something happens and you've got to start preparing another way."

Lyon challenged anyone to provide evidence of Griffin's injury not being genuine.

I'm on record here, this is bona fide and legitimate, and if anyone wants [to make] accusations outside of that they're well and truly out of line and want to be really careful," Lyon said.

"There is no ruse here. If anyone is calling us liars, they'd want to be really strong and have strong evidence."

Fremantle's Aaron Sandilands expects to spend more time up forward while fellow ruckmen Jon Griffin and Zac Clarke get more opportunities this year.

"We've had 'Griffo' come in now [and] Zac Clarke's taking big steps and training really well, so I can see those guys getting a lot of games this year," Sandilands said.

"Hopefully I can spend a little bit more time forward and those guys can spend a bit of time in the middle."

Adelaide Jonathon Griffin has been traded to Fremantle for pick No. 61 after the ruckman requested a move back to his home state for family reasons.

"It will be a compassionate trade really. We'll let him go home and help out with his father and brother," Adelaide football manager Phil Harper said.

Personal reasons are behind Adelaide ruckman Jonathon Griffin's request for a trade to his home state of Western Australia.

"He has a very serious personal reason that has prompted his decision not to seek a new contract with the Crows," Griffin's manager Colin Young said.

"We now have to check with either Fremantle or the West Coast, to see if they have interest in Jon to continue his career with them. We will talk to both the WA clubs over the next couple of weeks and see what might transpire in regards to a trade deal for Jon."

Adelaide football manager John Reid says he does not fear Jon Griffin returning to West Australia despite rumours of several clubs showing interest in the ruckman who has had an indifferent season due to injury.

"Jon has had a bit of an up and down season with injury and it hasn't all gone his way, but we still rate him very highly," Crows football manager John Reid said.

"Our first objective would be to develop him and get him into our side."