AFL trade news: Assessing the potential SA destinations for Collingwood star Brodie Grundy
There are two key areas why the Power and the Crows could sidestep Brodie Grundy if he decides he wants to come home. But the real elephant in the room is far more concerning.
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Brodie Grundy now looms as the big name to watch in this off-season.
A two-time All-Australian and club best and fairest for Collingwood, Grundy was one of if not the best ruckman in the game when he signed his huge seven-year, $7 million contract in 2020.
Yet two years into this bumper contract the Pies could be willing to let Grundy go, to free up salary cap space as they seek to build on a stunning first year with Craig McRae at the helm.
GWS are understood to be extremely keen on Grundy, and his manager met with the Giants earlier this week.
But Grundy is understood to be lukewarm on a move to Sydney.
His preference is to stay in Melbourne, but could the two SA clubs land the big-fish that is the Adelaide-born and raised ruckman if he decides he wants to come home.
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WHY WOULD THEY WANT HIM
Prior to signing the huge deal Grundy was one of the dominant ruckmen in the competition.
Not only were his hit-outs at 35 to 40-plus on average but Grundy was able to follow up his ruckwork with stellar work on the ground, winning the ball himself and laying tackles.
In 2019 Grundy averaged 21 disposals and 4.3 tackles per game.
This led to him being labelled as a fourth midfielder, and a key part of the Collingwood midfield that went to a grand final and a preliminary final in successive years.
His form hasn’t been at this level for the last couple of years, but he shouldn’t be written off just yet.
And there’s an opportunity for a club to get Grundy on the cheap.
If Collingwood are so desperate to get a fair chunk of his $1 million or so a year out of their salary cap, the Pies would have to pay some of his contract.
If the Pies are willing to pay lets say $200,000 or even more than you can get a $1 million man and one of the best ruckmen in the competition cheaper than he technically is.
WHY THEY WOULDN’T WANT HIM
The two big reasons would be his age and the huge contract he is on.
Grundy is 28 now and had some injury issues over the past two years.
Taking on his deal means either club would have him until he’s 32/33.
His form has dropped significantly since he signed that big deal in 2020.
He didn’t enjoy the hub Collingwood had to enter in 2020 and while things have been a bit more normal in 2021 and 2022 his form has still been down from what it was.
On top of the big salary a club would still have to likely pay, any suitor would have to give up something quite significant in terms of picks or players to get Collingwood to part with a contracted player.
WHY HE WOULD FIT PORT
Out of the two SA clubs, the Power seems the most logical fit if Grundy wants to come to Adelaide given their ruck issues this season.
After Scott Lycett went down with a dislocated shoulder in Round 4 young ruckman Sam Hayes finally got his chance at AFL level.
But in recent weeks the Power have gone with Charlie Dixon and Jeremy Finlayson as their ruck duo even with Hayes fit.
Hayes is solid as a tap ruckman but needs to improve his coverage around the ground.
On Tuesday Power forward’s coach Nathan Bassett said Dixon is “probably our best ruckman at the club”.
But Bassett said having Dixon in the ruck weakened the Power’s forward line.
“He kicked 48 goals last year and took I don’t know 75 contested marks so you lose someone who is a strong marking target and someone that brings the ball to ground consistently,” he said.
“We have more lead-up forwards in our forward line, (Todd) Marshall, (Mitch) Georgiades and Finlayson are more lead-up forwards than an aerial presence.
“We have kicked the least goals inside 15m in the competition, so someone who can occasionally take a good pack mark and kick a goal and can consistently provide a contest and compete for the ball in the air and also keep the ball in the air long enough for other people to catch up and kick a goal.”
Lycett turns 30 in September and is out of contract at the end of 2023, Hayes isn’t getting a game, mid-season draftee Brynn Teakle is highly rated as is Dante Visentini but he is still raw.
WHY HE WOULD FIT THE CROWS
Adelaide was heavily linked to Grundy in 2019 as Sam Jacobs edged closer to the end of his career.
But Reilly O’Brien emerged as the Crows new No. 1 ruckman, Adelaide embarked on a rebuild at West Lakes following two years out of finals and with the speculation swirling Grundy was able to sign a big seven-year deal with Collingwood.
So given where Adelaide is at in its rebuild and Grundy being 28 the Crows going for Grundy again looks unlikely.
But if the deal is right, with Collingwood paying a significant chunk of his salary, no club would pass up a quality player like Grundy if the opportunity presented itself.
He could help the young Crows list develop, and give them some quality that many feel that Matthew Nicks’ side is lacking right now.
O’Brien is in the Crows leadership group but was dropped earlier this year.
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