Jack Grimes Biography

Jack Grimes, who played 100 senior games for the Demons, watches his younger brother, Dylan Grimes, win a second AFL premiership with the Tigers, and complete his greatest season as a player.

"I've never seen him as happy as what I'm seeing him right now," Jack said.

"He's just sung the song with 21 of his best mates and he turns around to us, his family, and gets to celebrate with us as well.

"I'm sure it's a moment I'll never forget and I'm sure it's a moment he'll never forget – and I'm just so happy to be a part of it."

Former Melbourne captain Jack Grimes accepts his AFL career is over and will turn his back on huge interest from VFL clubs to play local football in Melbourne.

Delisted by Melbourne at the end of the 2016 season, Grimes, 27, decided not to nominate for the national and rookie drafts after being overlooked in this year's delisted free agency periods despite some clubs' interest in selecting him as a mature-age rookie.

Grimes' manager, Anthony McConville of Mac's Sports, told AFL.com.au his client had reconciled himself to the fact his AFL career was over after the third and final delisted free agency period closed last Sunday.

"Some clubs had a real interest in taking Jack as a rookie but he didn't want to do that, so he didn't nominate for the draft," McConville said.

"Jack also won't play in the VFL next year despite enormous interest. He's now ready to make the transition to life outside AFL football, so he'll play at local level next year with his mates."

Jack Grimes is determined to push forward with his AFL career after being delisted by the Demons.

"It was really disappointing to hear the news but I would be lying if I said that I wasn't expecting it ... with the way this year panned out," Grimes said.

"I understand that's footy. I'm a realist in that sense.

"It did knock me around a bit but moving on from that has made me determined to do something about that."

Former Melbourne co-captain Jack Grimes has been delisted after 100 games in the red and blue.

"Jack Grimes is a man of great integrity and this was a tough decision for everyone involved," Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said.

"Jack played 100 games for the club and will become a life member and we wish him well for the next phase of his AFL journey."

Jack Grimes concedes his future at Melbourne is clouded, but the former co-captain is hopeful he will be offered a new contract to remain with the club for 2017.

"As much as players love loyalty, we see a lot of movement these days and guys seeking opportunities elsewhere," Grimes said.

"I don't want to think about it too much but, if the time came, then I would definitely like to pursue my career, because I feel like I've got a bit to give."

Jack Grimes has been reprogrammed for a new role at the Demons and took some promising steps in his team's convincing win over Fremantle in Darwin.

Grimes was made to wait until round 16 to play his first senior game of the season, but starred in Melbourne's 32-point win over the Dockers at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.

The former co-captain played on the wing and gathered 32 disposals, nine marks and had five inside 50s to be one of the Demons' best across the contest.

"It was good to see him getting a bit of the ball and he took a crucial mark late in the game as well when we were under siege a bit," Melbourne coach Paul Roos said after the win.

"It's good for Jack to get a game, we were confident he'd play well and he did."

Melbourne coach Paul Roos has stopped short of guaranteeing Jack Grimes' future at Melbourne as the experienced Demon continues to remain on the cusp of selection.

"He's really close. It is a tough one because the seniors have been going pretty well and the seconds are playing really well," Roos said.

"If I was him I'd be getting frustrated, but we're making sure we're communicating pretty strongly with him and he knows where he sits.

"It's only human nature to get frustrated this late in the season."

It appears increasingly unlikely that former Melbourne captain Jack Grimes will be with the Demons in 2017 with future opportunities looking limited.

Grimes 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.

"Obviously, I'm concerned Jack hasn't played all year and has been fit and healthy," Grimes' manager Anthony McConville said.

"I am concerned that his future at Melbourne looks limited."

Melbourne has overhauled its leadership group with captain Nathan Jones the only survivor from last year.

Vice-captain Lynden Dunn, former co-captain Jack Grimes, key forward Chris Dawes and Heritier Lumumba have all been axed from the 2015 group, while Daniel Cross has already retired.

The new group features reigning best and fairest winner Bernie Vince, veteran Colin Garland, defender Tom McDonald and emerging stars Jack Viney and Max Gawn.

Being left out of Melbourne's team for the opening rounds of the season was exactly the wake-up call Jack Grimes felt he needed as he tries to re-establish himself as a regular AFL footballer.

Not that spending the first two weeks wearing the No.78 guernsey for VFL affiliate Casey did not feel like a fall from grace for the former co-captain, but it was the feedback he received from the Demons' coaching staff that made the experience valuable.

He forced his way back into the senior side for the round five game against Fremantle, but was dropped the following week for the match-up with the Swans.

After breaking his thumb in round 11, Grimes was brought back through the VFL before being recalled to the senior side for Sunday's clash against St Kilda at the MCG.

"It hit pretty hard, especially for the round one game (against Gold Coast). Everyone wants to play round one and it was a bit of a shock to the system," Grimes said.

"I do feel like it was a wake-up call and something I needed."

Jack Grimes will be sidelined for up to two months after breaking his thumb in the Demons' loss to St Kilda.

"[Grimes] broke his thumb in a spoiling situation and he had surgery yesterday (Monday) afternoon," Demons elite performance manager Dave Misson said.

"He'll have wires in that thumb for about four weeks, so he'll be six to eight weeks away."

Jones will be Melbourne's sole captain in 2015 and he will be supported by three recycled players in the club's leadership group.

Jones, 27, will handle the responsibility on his own after sharing the captaincy duties with Jack Grimes in 2014.

Former Collingwood defender Heritier Lumumba is a surprise choice for the Demons' leadership group, which also includes Grimes, Lynden Dunn, ex-Dog Daniel Cross and former Magpie Chris Dawes.

"I think it's a really good mix of guys that understand how difficult it has been, but also some guys who have had some real success who can continue to raise standards around here," Melbourne coach Paul Roos said.

Jack Grimes steps down as captain of Melbourne citing a need to concentrate on his football for 2015.

"Clearly on-field is the most important aspect of leadership, and my own on-field performance needs to improve," Grimes said.

"By removing the co-captaincy role, I believe I can use all my mental and physical energy into improving my on-field performance, which will be the best thing for myself and the team."

Jack Grimes will miss the final two games for the year after sustaining a hamstring injury during the third quarter of the Demons' loss to GWS.

Jack Grimes says his form has steadily improved this year after being able to hold his place in the Richmond side.

"This season is the most consistent I've had in terms of just being out on the field," Grimes said.

"It's great just to string some games together and get some confidence back in my body.

"Previously, I'd always had those doubts – 'Is my body going to hold up in the dying minutes? Am I at risk?' That stuff can really play on your mind.

"But the body's feeling great and it's no coincidence that the form line is starting to improve as well."

Jack Grimes says he feels a lot more comfortable with leading the team in his second year as captain of Melbourne.

"Even though I still know I have a lot to work on with my leadership, I feel a lot more comfortable now because I'm just going to be me," Grimes said.

"I'll keep developing myself but at the same time I'll always stay who I am and not try to be anyone else."

Nathan Jones and Jack Grimes are named co-captains of Melbourne for 2014.

"It became obvious among the players themselves, that Jack, through being captain in the past, was still held in really high regard," Melbourne coach Paul Roos said.

"And then obviously Nathan, through his efforts on the field, but more importantly off the field, was equal to Jack as one of the real leaders of the club."

Jack Grimes says he wants to captain Melbourne in 2014.

"I'm still keen to put my hand up for the job," Grimes said.

"I think we'll go through a bit of a process through Leading Teams, not sure when it'll be yet, but I guess leading in to the NAB Challenge the players and coaches will have their say."

Melbourne captain Jack Grimes insists that embattled coach Mark Neeld has been a positive for the club despite the Demons' horrid year.

"From the start he always said to us that 'the game day results will be the last thing that we will see'," Grimes said.

"We train like I've never trained before in my life. It's just so much more intense, and so much more game-like.

"You can't keep training and preparing the way we do, and keep getting the results that we are. We just have total faith in what we are doing. It will turn for us."

Nathan Jones will join Jack Trengove as co-captain of the Demons after Jack Grimes is sidelined with a long-term shoulder injury.

Jack Grimes will miss up to eight weeks due to a broken collarbone sustained when he landed on his shoulder following a heavy tackle against Carlton.

"He's had a couple of injuries, Jack. That's part of the game," Melbourne coach Mark Neeld said post-match.

"He's a courageous young fella, Jack, and you put your head over it, and put your nose over it, these things happen."

Melbourne co-captain Jack Grimes will wear the No.31 jumper that AFL legend Ron Barassi made famous.

"We believe he has the characteristics and the Melbourne heritage. He is a lifelong Melbourne supporter. We thought it was the obvious choice," Melbourne coach Mark Neeld said about Grimes inheriting the number.

Melbourne skipper Jack Trengove says he and co-captain Jack Grimes are still learning the ropes as leaders of the club.

"I feel we're up to it, but there are ... times where you need help from everyone because it's a team sport in the end," Trengove said.

"It's all pretty foreign to us, the captaincy thing, because we're both new to it, so it's important we have good people around us ... to guide us along the way."

Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes have been named Melbourne co-captains, with Trengove to become the youngest leader in VFL/AFL history.

"[Trengove and Grimes] have become captains by leading by example," Demons coach Mark Neeld said.

"I only have their actions and behaviours over the last four-and-a-half months to go by, and they've been terrific.

"I expect them to continue to act in that manner, and to grow and develop their leadership skills over time. I've got no doubt that they'll do that really well."

Injured brothers Jack and Dylan Grimes have formulated a program which will see them recover from their respective injuries together in Port Douglas.

"They said they thought it would be good for us to get away together so we can rehab together. It's worked out pretty well," the older Grimes brother said.

"I guess because we both have an injury to our legs we're doing a lot more upper body stuff. Our programs are both pretty similar."

Jack Grimes reveals how he overcame two bouts of stress fractures in his back by doing unique core strength exercises which involve twitching or touching his stomach and leg muscles.

"It was pretty extreme, they said a lot of my muscles just weren't working," he said of his condition.

"It was putting pressure on my back and hips, which caused the back and groin injuries.

"The doctors said, 'We are pretty much going to have to start from scratch again with my running technique and lots of things'."

Melbourne's heavy recruiting in the last two years has left 2007 draftee Jack Grimes with something to offer his younger teammates.

"I remember when I first came to the club I looked up to the first and second-year guys," he said.

"I feel like the young guys ... are looking to us for advice, because we've just been through what they're going through. It is good to have some guys come up to you and ask you for advice.

"I couldn't believe it when the new boys came in a few weeks ago - there are now blokes who are two years under me."

Melbourne has won the commitment of two more of its emerging players with Stefan Martin and Jack Grimes signing new two-year contracts.

"What we want to try and establish at the club is that there is never any doubt in our players wanting to stay," Melbourne general manager of list management Tim Harrington said.

"And re-signing pretty much becomes a formality, because the players are very much aware of a building momentum in the club that will provide success down the track."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says Brock McLean and Jack Grimes will have to prove their fitness at training on Thursday with the two having missed games due to a knee and back injury respectively.

Melbourne's Jack Grimes is only a 50/50 prospect of playing against the Swans after struggling with a back injury.

"He's had back issues earlier in the year and on the weekend he got a couple of knocks on the back and he's certainly pulled up pretty stiff," Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said.

"We'll see how he trains in our main session, but I'd say he'd probably be 50/50."

Jack Grimes, who grew up a Demons supporter, helped Melbourne record only its second win of the season and in the process earned a rising star nomination.

"It was really weird when I first got there because a lot of the guys who were down there were guys I'd grown up watching on telly and barracking for," he said.

"I was a bit overawed by the whole experience but once you get to know them all you realise they are great people and easy to get along with. They've made the transition really easy."

The Demons say second-year utility Jack Grimes, who has impressed during the pre-season, will be out for up to a month with a stress injury in his lower back.