Resilience was an area the Demons desperately wanted to strengthen and Grimes says 2012's difficulties have proved an effective, if unpleasant, teacher.
Calamities early in the year included the death of club great Jim Stynes, assault charges against forward Liam Jurrah, unfounded racism allegations against coach Mark Neeld and the controversy-shrouded loss of a major sponsor.
Throw in a nine-match season-opening losing streak, then a major injury to star recruit Mitch Clark and Grimes said the Demons could easily have descended into in-fighting.
But staying united off-field and gradually improving on-field through adversity could be worth more than a calmer, more successful year.
"We definitely would have learnt a lot more out of it because we had to confront some different and difficult situations that most clubs and most leaders don't have to from year to year," Grimes told AAP.
"It would have been nice to get a little bit of a (captaincy) initiation period before it all happened.
"But looking back, I think it will be one of those things that it was a tough time, but we'll be really glad for the experience."
The Demons have won just four games - three of those against the bottom two sides - compared to eight wins and a draw under Dean Bailey last season.
But they are moving away from capitulations such as last year's 186-point loss to Geelong, which cost Bailey his career.
After two triple-figure losses early this season, the margins have been much closer in the second half of the year.
"We're definitely trying to fight our way through some difficult situations," Grimes said.
"We know that that hasn't been our strength for a few years."
That will remain a focus in their challenging final two matches, against Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday and Fremantle in Perth six days later.
The Demons will take confidence from winning their past two MCG meetings with the Crows and an emotional lift for Brad Green's 254th and final AFL game.
Grimes said the Demons felt a responsibility to give the former skipper a fitting send-off.
The Crows, who have lost midfielder Rory Sloane (elbow), will be looking to bounce back from their upset loss to Brisbane and keep themselves in contention for a top two berth and home final.
