Impressive young midfielder Mitch Grigg says he’s thrilled to re-sign with Adelaide after doubting whether he’d be offered another contract in the early stages of his AFL career.

On Tuesday, the Club announced that Grigg and this week’s Rising Star nominee (and Grigg’s housemate) Rory Laird had signed new two-year deals. It caps off a whirlwind month for Grigg, who made his long-awaited debut in Adelaide’s thrilling win over Geelong in Round 17.

The life-long Crows supporter said it was an “easy call” to stay at West Lakes.

“It’s been a pretty hectic month for me. I’m rapt to be staying with the Club. It’s a great Club and, hopefully, I can be here a lot longer than two years,” Grigg said.

“Last year, I probably doubted whether the Club would want to re-sign me. So, to be in the position I am now is something I didn’t necessarily expect, and that I’m really grateful for.

“Now, I can’t wait to see what unfolds in the future.”

South Australia’s most valuable player at the 2011 Under-18 National Championships, Grigg was selected by Adelaide with pick No.41 in the AFL National Draft, but took time to adapt to the AFL environment.

The lethal left-footer spent the first half of the season playing for Norwood’s reserves. A frank feedback session at West Lakes in the middle of the year helped the Athelstone junior realise he needed to work harder and smarter.

“I had a bit of a chat with the leadership group, the coaching staff and development coaches halfway through last year,” Grigg said.

“They said, ‘you’re not really tracking how we want you to and you’ve got to step up in this area’. It was pretty hard to hear, but I needed to hear it and I took it onboard.

“In the second half of last year, I played most games at (SANFL) league level and set myself for a massive pre-season. I got into reasonable shape and was running really well, and it all rolled on from there.”

Already a strong distance runner, Grigg trimmed down and worked on his repeat efforts and general intensity. Like most young draftees, he also had to improve the defensive side of his game and his work without the ball in hand.

The result was a berth in Adelaide’s opening-round NAB Cup team and a spot in the Redlegs’ league side in their season-opener against Port Adelaide. Grigg continued to develop and improve, putting together a couple of months of solid form before receiving an AFL call-up against the Cats.

“I’m not going through the motions anymore. I’m trying to go over and above what’s expected,” he said.

“You’ve got to get past guys, who have already made it at AFL level, and that was my struggle earlier this year. I had a reasonably good block of form leading up to my first AFL game. It’s probably the most consistent footy I’ve ever played, especially at league level.

“Even when I wasn’t getting picked, I was still regularly catching up with the (Crows) coaches and asking what they needed to see from me in order for me to get my go. I just tried to put that into games and stay consistent.

“I had to work hard to get a game. It wasn’t easy for me and it made me a lot more grateful when I got the opportunity.”

Grigg impressed on debut, showing good skills and collecting 12 possessions despite limited game time in his role as the substitute.

However, he was dealt an unfortunate blow the next week, left out of the team to make way for a second ruckman to take on Fremantle and its man mountain Aaron Sandilands.

“I walked into Sando’s office on the Wednesday and from the look on Sando’s face; I could tell there was bad news coming,” Grigg said.

“I sort of expected it. I knew we’d be a good chance to play two rucks because of Sandilands, but it was good they trusted me to come back in the next week and perform.

“I was glad to get another opportunity.”

Grigg was recalled for his first Showdown in Round 19. The composed midfielder started as the sub again, but sparked the Crows when he came on in the third quarter, amassing nine possessions and a goal for the term. He finished the match with 15 disposals, and recorded a career-best 18 touches and a goal in his first full game against North Melbourne on Sunday.

“It was easier for me starting the game because that’s what I’ve done my whole life, being in there right from the get go,” Grigg said.

“The pace is a lot quicker in the first quarter because everyone is fresh and has Adrenalin running. I cramped slightly in the fourth and then got injured halfway through the last quarter and couldn’t really move.

“I came off, but had to go on again for a minute just so we could give the boys another rotation. It was just an awesome experience to get a whole game.”

While the physical demands of AFL are far greater than in the SANFL, Grigg believes it’s easier to find the ball at the higher level. It’s hardly surprising he feels this way given how easily he’s adapted.

“The cleanliness of disposal by the players makes it a bit easier, so you’re able to read the play better,” he said.

“It can help coming up to the higher level and playing with and against the best. You don’t really have time to weigh up your options either, you just go. In the SANFL you try to break tackles, but at AFL level you just don’t have that chance, so you give the ball the first time.”

Grigg has slept with an ice machine hooked up to his leg for the past two nights after sustaining a nasty corked hip in the win over North Melbourne, but he expects to be for Sunday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs.

His aim is to play the remaining three minor-round games, and then help Norwood win a premiership – a feat he was denied of last year after being left out of the Club's Grand Final team.

“I just want to play my role and be really clear on what that is each week,” he said.

“I also want to keep clarity in what makes me play well. I don’t want to go away from what I’ve been doing because that’s got me here. I’ll keep doing extras during the week and all the recovery to make sure my body is right.

“If nothing comes of our (Adelaide’s season), I’ll definitely put my hand up to play for Norwood in the finals if the opportunity arises.”