He coached the club to the 2008 Group 10 premier league title and mentored the St Pat’s under 18s to the premiership in 2012 – few have that double on their coaching resume. 

Dane Fisher’s in the same boat. As a grand final winner in 2008, he bleeds blue and a white.

As a hard-nose back-rower, Fisher found his best form under the guidance of Grimshaw in that premiership-winning season in ‘08, so it makes sense the duo will again team up next winter.

Grimshaw and Fisher will co-coach St Pat’s under 18s next season, a joint operation the club hopes will help lift the blue and white juniors to premiership success next season.

Given St Pat’s under 18s finished the 2018 regular season in the top three and the club’s under 16s went on to win both their Group 10 title and the NAB Western Premiers Challenge against Red Bend, Grimshaw and Fisher certainly have a decent squad to work with.

“I like nurturing the kids coming through ... I’ve been around 100 years and I’ve got a bit of knowledge to pass on,” he added.

Grimshaw coached the club’s under 16s league tag team last season but his job in 2019 is his first senior men’s role in three seasons.

The 57-year-old says now is the right time to get back into the fold full-time.

“I’ve been here a long time and been through a lot with the club and the new facility there (at Jack Arrow Oval) will be fantastic for juniors and seniors,” Grimshaw said.

“We had our AGM last week and it was one of the biggest I’ve been to with the club. There’s genuine support there.”

He’s confident of working well with Fisher, who has spent time mentoring the St Pat’s first division side since hanging up the boots.

“I think it’ll work well, Dane’s keen as mustard,” he said.

“I coached Dane when we won in first grade so we have that working relationship, and he’s coached these kids when they first started out, so that’s handy as well.

“I’m told it’s a good bunch coming through and five or six 18s will stay on as well. With that combination we’ll be a competitive side.”