Star Richmond defender Dylan Grimes has commended the Tigers’ coaching team for releasing the shackles within the Club’s playing group, enabling them to play with much greater freedom and enjoyment.

Grimes believes this has been a major factor in Richmond’s success throughout the past couple of seasons.

“One thing the coaches do, and to their absolute credit, they encourage us to play to our strengths and bring our natural flair to the game,” Grimes said on the ‘Marngrook Footy Show’.

Gary Ayres Award: Grand Grimes

“For guys like Dusty (Dustin Martin) and Daniel Rioli, who both played really well on the weekend (qualifying final v Hawthorn), they’ve got this huge bag of tricks, and instead of being a square peg into a round hole, they’re encouraged to branch out and be exactly who they are as a player, play to their strengths, bring their flair that they would have done as juniors, kicking a footy around on some oval who knows where . . .

“They’re encouraged to bring their absolute strengths and I think that’s what makes us exciting . . .

“Young players coming in, it’s exciting to see them bring this whole new bag of tricks.”

Grimes also outlined how Richmond’s emphasis on individuality within the team framework worked so well with regards to off-field behaviour.

“We’ve brought players into the Club and encouraged them to be themselves, encouraged them to bring their humour, their personality to the group, and I think we’re getting the most out of our players off-field, as well as on-field,” he said.

“That helps with culture because you’ve got 45 guys that are really enjoying each other’s company, having fun out there, which is why we all started playing the game.”