‘Bargain buy’ enjoying change of role for Giants

LAUDED as the AFL’s “eBay” star, GWS revelation Jeremy Finlayson has opened up about the mental health fight that has helped inspire the Giants’ stunning finals surge.

Finlayson kicked three spectacular goals in Saturday night’s rampant upset over the Bulldogs, further proving the decision to shift him into the forward line this season has been a stroke of genius.

GWS picked Finlayson up off the AFL scrapheap a few years ago in one of the great bargain basement buys.

But the unassuming country kid from the NSW Riverina fought some demons last year which at one point forced him to take a break from the club mid-season.

As much as his positional switch has ignited Finlayson (pictured) leading into this Saturday’s elimination blockbuster against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba, so has the 23-year-old’s willingness to accept help off the field, meeting with GWS sports psychologist Darren Everett twice a week. “It’s a wonderful story. It’s fitting for Jeremy because he’s had to fight some tough times and he played in a man“(When ner you’d love your key forwards to play in,” coach Leon Cameron said.

“He’s very good on the ground, and equally good in the air.

“He’s had to do it the hard way. He appreciates footy like there’s no tomorrow. Sometimes he thinks about it too much. So to manage those challenges that he’s had in the last couple of years has been awesome.” RICHMOND defender Dylan Grimes has owned up to a dive against Lion Eric Hipwood that will cost him a $1000 staging fine.

Grimes’ ability to milk a free kick when Hipwood bumped him lightly early in the Tigers’ 47point win ticked every box the MRO considers for a staging fine. Players must be guilty of “excessive exaggeration” in an incident that influences an umpire’s decision. He is certain to be fined.

Shown the incident post-match on Channel 7, Grimes said: “Oh no… That is pretty obvious, isn’t it. I don’t know what to say, that is an Academy Award, I reckon.”