Magner had 16 disposals against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG on Sunday, but his pressure and work inside 50 earned strong plaudits from Grimes.
The first-year Demon had a team-high - and equal game-best -seven tackles.
It’s been a different role for the 24-year-old after he amassed 32 disposals in the middle against West Coast Eagles at Patersons Stadium in round two - just his second AFL match.
But Grimes said Magner’s determination to help retain the ball in Melbourne’s attacking zone had been important for the team.
“He might not be getting as much of the ball as what he was when he was playing in the middle, but the defensive pressure that he puts on, and the roles he plays on their key defenders, is unbelievable,” he said.
“It probably goes unnoticed externally, but internally he’s getting a lot of credit for it.”
Magner has played every match so far this season.
