Forward Jarrad Grant compiled his most complete performance in a Gold Coast guernsey against Fremantle on Saturday afternoon after arriving at Metricon Stadium in the off-season as a delisted free agent.
In his eighth appearance for the SUNS, the former Bulldog booted a pair of goals to go with 15 disposals (10 contested) and two goal assists, highlighting the potential recruiting guru Scott Clayton saw in Grant when he selected him with pick No. 5 in the 2007 national draft.
It was a display Grant described as ‘probably overdue’ with his 2016 season interrupted twice already through injury.
“Getting late in the season so it’s probably overdue for a four-quarter consistent effort,” Grant told SUNS TV.
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“Felt like I was building towards it earlier in the season before I had a hamstring injury. We’ve still got five games left so hopefully that’s the standard for the rest of the year.”
The 27-year-old has been maligned at times for being unable to find consistency but is hoping to use his performance against the Dockers to finish off the season strongly.
Grant paid credit to his coaches helping him with his efforts to improve and his determination to work harder on Saturday paid dividends for the Frankston Bombers product.
“Something in my career I’ve found a challenge is playing consistently throughout the year but hopefully I can put together a good six weeks now and then moving towards next year,” he said.
“Obviously constant feedback through Rocket [Rodney Eade]and Ashley Prescott the forwards coach which is defining my role to exactly what I need to be able to do.
“The focus on the weekend was just to work harder and basically run which sounds pretty easy but sometimes you can get caught up with structures and overthinking and it paid off so we’ll keep that one in the head for this week.”
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Betweent Grant and the SUNS’ three-prong tall forward attack of Tom Lynch, Sam Day and Peter Wright, the quartet contributed for 13 of the team’s 16 goals.
Playing as a fourth-string option is a role Grant is relishing, with his 193cm frame and skillset providing him with a mismatch against opposition backs.
“It’s great for me. Obviously quite tall myself so it creates a mismatch for myself and the boys are very good with their contest,” Grant said.
“They’re able to bring the ball to ground and although I’m tall, I like to play a lot smaller than I am so them getting the ball to ground helps me tremendously and obviously the other small forwards as well.”
