Griffin returns to the Sharks Thursday, October 26, 2017 - 3:46 PM

The East Fremantle Football Club has announced the key signing of Jonathon Griffin, a passionate Sharks man who will once again pull on the Blue and White, for seasons 2018 and 2019.

In speaking of his return to ‘Shark Park’ Griffin said it’s great to be back playing for the club he supported as a kid.

“I couldn’t be happier,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to hopefully playing some finals football in the next couple of years and I think there are some exciting times ahead.”

Coach Rob Wiley said he was delighted to have Griffin back at East Fremantle to not only lead the ruck division, but to be a key figure in driving the expectations and standards of the club.

“It’s great to have not only his talent but his leadership and passion to bring success back to this footy club,” Wiley said.

Following 12 strong years in the AFL system, where he played 97 senior games, Griffin returns to the club where he was selected in the 2005 Rookie Draft at pick number 21 by the Adelaide Crows. 

He made his AFL debut in round 1, 2007 and played 41 games for the Crows, before being traded to Fremantle at the end of the 2010 season. Griffin added a further 56 games in his seven seasons at the Dockers. 

During the 2011 and 2012 seasons, Griffin played 16 games for the Sharks when not selected for Fremantle, and was lauded for the way he showed great leadership and passion for his beloved club. He was instrumental in East Fremantle’s grand final comeback in 2012, when the Sharks fell agonisingly short of the ultimate success.

Further testament to the man, Griffin has been a key leadership figure and player for Peel Thunder under the alignment model. He was part of Peel’s history in 2016 being a part of the club’s first premiership and in 2017 Griffin played a significant role for Peel, finishing fifth in the competition for hit outs in just 14 games.

He has also shown an ability to go forward and kick goals under pressure. In 2015 Griffin was awarded the Docker’s best clubman.

Following the return of Jansen a month ago, Griffin is the next major signing in the Sharks’ aggressive recruitment campaign for season 2018.