Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy is mentoring little brother Riley as AFL clubs take note

COLLINGWOOD ruckman Brodie Grundy is tutoring his younger brother Riley who is following his unconventional pathway towards the AFL as clubs track the raw and exciting teenager at Sturt.

Collingwood big man Brodie Grundy is teaching younger brother Riley about body positioning in the ruck and defensive structures and plays. Picture: James Elsby (Getty).

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COLLINGWOOD ruckman Brodie Grundy is using pen and paper to tutor his younger brother Riley who is following his unconventional pathway towards the AFL as clubs track the raw and exciting teenager at Sturt.

Like Brodie who walked into Sturt at 16 asking for an opportunity after playing basketball as a junior, Riley only took up footy at 15 but has developed from rangy ruckman to a key defender with explosive speed, a good leap and reach.

“When I was rucking Brodie used to give me a lot of pointers on how to best position my body and that’s something I’ve taken through my game now,” Riley said.

“And whenever he comes around we go to the local park and have a kick and a few ruck contests.

“In particular now when I’ve been trying to learn this defensive craft he’s got the pen and paper out and draws up where I should be positioning myself and doing this and that, play in front, go up the ground.

“I’m definitely very privileged to have a brother playing at the highest level of football.

“I’m traditionally a ruckman but in the last year they’ve really tried to turn me into a key defender and I feel this year I’ve tried to improve my intercept marking and my defensive craft has come a long way since last year.”

Riley Grundy takes flight for Sturt’s under-18s against South Adelaide on the weekend. Picture: Mike Burton.

Riley, 17, was already on the radar of AFL recruiters but Brodie’s outstanding start to the season with Collingwood has only added to the intrigue.

At 195cm and 80kg he is smaller than Brodie (202cm and 100kg) but last year tested 2.9secs for his 20m sprint which is considered very good for a player his size.

Brodie was 201cm and 99kg and tested 3.1secs for his 20m sprint in 2012 when he was drafted to the Magpies with pick No.12.

Riley played in the ruck at under-16 level but has developed into a key defender in the under-18s given he still lacks the height of a genuine AFL ruckman.

The 17-year-old from Cabra College is expected to be named in the state under-18 program this week for the national championships which start in June.

Sturt coach Martin Mattner said the Double Blues asked him to train with the seniors over summer and he had AFL traits.

“There’s been a few questions asked about him and a few (recruiters) coming to watch him as well,” Mattner said.

“He’s been involved in a program with a group of five or six of our under-18s to come and train with the seniors throughout the pre-season so he was identified as a talented player.

“Having the name as well he got a bit of notice but he has some really explosive power and good reach and moves quite well, attributes that could be draftable.

Grundy is impressing with his speed and defensive work at Sturt. Picture: Mike Burton.

“It’s come around quickly because two years ago he was playing under-16s and school footy and in the last 12 months it’s seen now as an avenue he could probably take.”

It’s expected Riley will play some reserves footy in the second half of the year but he is still a way off pushing for league selection.

“If there is some pedigree like a father/son or a brother it always createst interest, but Riley has been letting his footy do the talking for himself,” Sturt football manager Chris Trapp said.

“He would have been getting interest anyway if he wasn’t Brodie’s brother because he has some AFL attributes in terms of his size, his height, his reach and genuine top-end speed.

“And being a tall defender they don’t grow on trees and recruiters will always look at those guys.

“He has some quirks like Brodie too. He’s a great kid, really inquisitive, loves to ask a question and is really keen to learn.

“He’s still pretty new to footy, he only started at under-15s and every time I speak to recruiters he’s certainly in the conversation.”

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