Moneyball AFL trade column: Brodie Grundy’s trade dilemma
Collingwood is trying to lock away superstar ruckman Brodie Grundy, but it could take a whopping seven-year deal millions to keep him in Victoria. But Scott Pendlebury’s backed his return home.
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Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury has thrown his full support behind Brodie Grundy’s move to strongly consider a return home to South Australia.
Grundy this week told the Herald Sun his decision was far from clear cut as he weighs up the chance to be closer to family in Adelaide.
Collingwood is trying to lock away the superstar ruckman, but it could take a whopping six or seven-year deal worth more than $1 million a season to keep him in Victoria.
The Brownlow Medal contender is a free agent at the end of next season, meaning the Pies would only receive one first-round draft pick as compensation, tied to their ladder position.
Pendlebury said Grundy was taking a “mature” approach to his contract dilemma.
“He is just being open. For him to say all this just means he’s been thinking about it for what, six months or a year?” Pendlebury said on the Jock and Journo podcast.
“And how has his form been this year? It’s probably the best year he’s had in the league. It’s not going to affect his form.
“People get so caught up whether it’s disloyal to the club. What if it’s disloyal to your family?
“Every player in the league would change clubs in a heartbeat if it would be better for your family.
“They’re so much more in it than you have just got to play for the club and you owe the club.”
Pendlebury also said he would also have no problems if Grundy was open and said he was leaving, before the end of the season.
Players are encouraged to keep their intentions secret, but there is support for more transparency in the player movement market
“Just say Brodie came out and said ‘boys this is my last few games’,” Pendlebury said.
“I’m not going to think ‘he won’t play hard for us this week’ because he will.”
WOULD YOU PAY $400K FOR SHAW?
Heath Shaw does has rival interest as GWS considers his future at the Giants.
The Pies premiership defender has said he would retire if GWS won the flag but if not he is keen to go on and the Giants want to keep him.
He turns 34 in November but still has his pace and continues to take the best small forward in opposition teams.
But having paid Stephen Coniglio around $7 million, the question remains if GWS have the salary space for a deal that would likely be around $350,000-$400,000.
All still points to him staying given an excellent season for a player who is also an on field general who is also an energiser bunny around the club.
Rivals would likely be prepared to offer him a one-year deal with a game-based trigger, but surely a deal can be struck.
He has played every game this year for 478 disposals.
St Kilda will likely only secure a second-round pick for Josh Bruce, with their decision to consider trade request for him remaining a confusing decision given his goal power.
But St Kilda’s feeling is that they have so little of trade value they must find more picks given their desire to secure Brad Hill, Zak Jones, Patty Ryder and maybe even Port Adelaide’s Sam Gray.
He gets a longer-term deal and some security and the Saints get a second rounder.
They have picks 12, 30 and 41, which ironically is the Saints own pick after a trade last year.
Could the Dogs offer that as the starting point in a trade, even if the Saints would want more.
His likely departure will mean all eyes will be on Max King as he starts his second year, with Paddy McCartin’s future extremely uncertain in a forward line that could include Paddy Ryder alongside Tim Membrey.
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Adam Tomlinson’s dropping for the qualifying final has only hardened his determination to find a fresh start at the Melbourne football club.
He will depart GWS with no hard feelings given his popularity in the playing group and the club’s inability to offer him a lucrative contract as a free agent.
But he is known to feel he needs a new coach who will have a fresh set of eyes about maximising his talent rather than playing him as a dour role player.
He has a huge tank so at 194cm is happy to play on a wing for GWS but could even be settled in defence if Sam Frost departs the Demons.
Melbourne is into Jamie Elliott but hasn’t made Frost a priority, as Hawthorn and North Melbourne circle.
GWS could end up trading for Adelaide’s Sam Jacobs for an extremely late pick despite him being an unrestricted free agent, as it would dilute any free agency compensation for the departing Tomlinson.
SUNS REVEAL GRAND PLANS
Gold Coast wants Adelaide utility Hugh Greenwood to add a dynamic edge to its midfield next year.
The Suns are eyeing Greenwood and Richmond running machine Brandon Ellis to beef up their side for next season.
They are also monitoring Hawthorn’s Issac Smith, but the wingman is more likely now to stay at Waverley as part of a contract extension.
Four-year deals could land Greenwood and Ellis’s signatures, with the Tigers likely to receive a second-round free agency compensation pick in return for Ellis.
The Suns are trying to fight off strong interest from Hawthorn to land Greenwood for 2020.
Adelaide is reluctant to give Greenwood a long-term deal, almost certainly confirming his departure.
The Suns are expected to receive pick No.2 in this year’s draft as part of the AFL’s ongoing special assistance.
CAREER LIFELINE?
Fremantle could be Chris Masten’s best chance of a career lifeline.
There has so far been little interest in the departing Eagles’ wingman after West Coast made the call to part ways with the veteran midfielder.
But the Dockers will have to consider him as Ed Langdon seeks a move to Melbourne and Brad Hill crosses to St Kilda.
Masten’s departure helps make room for Cat Tim Kelly.
Originally published as Moneyball AFL trade column: Brodie Grundy’s trade dilemma