No brotherly love for the Grundys after coach Ken Hinkley calls

Riley Grundy has revealed he hung the phone up on the man that inspired his AFL career just minutes after he realised a dream.

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Riley Grundy has revealed he hung the phone up on the man who inspired his AFL career, just minutes after he realised a dream.

And with good reason.

“Brodie (his older brother and Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy) was one of the first people to call me but I had to decline his call to answer Ken’s (Power coach Ken Hinkley),’’ Riley said after Port Adelaide selected him with pick 73 at this year’s AFL national draft.

“I don’t think he liked that too much.’’

Eighteen-year-old Riley, a tall defender from SANFL club Sturt, only started playing football four years ago after being inspired by Brodie's exploits with the Magpies.

Both were late starters to football after earlier playing basketball and Brodie — selected by Collingwood at pick 18 at the 2012 national draft — has gone on to become one of the AFL’s premier ruckmen, making this year’s All-Australian team.

New recruit Riley Grundy of the Power at pre-season training at Alberton Oval on Monday. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

New recruit Zac Butters at Alberton Oval. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

Riley — 9cm shorter than his 24-year-old brother at 194cm — said Brodie was “stoked’’ that he had followed him into the AFL but had preferred him to go a Melbourne club so the pair could spend more time together.

“But I'm so stoked to be staying in Adelaide and to get the opportunity to play for Port,’’ Riley said.

“But I do owe Brodie a lot. He’s helped me on my journey and allowed me to visit Collingwood when he would train which gave me an insight in to what it means to be an AFL footballer, which a lot of people don’t get.

“I felt I was very privileged to be able to see my brother go through the AFL system before me.’’

Riley watched the second day of the draft last Friday unfold at the Belair Hotel with his mum Jennifer but did not expect Port to call his name.

“I didn’t think it would be Port because they only interviewed me the week before the draft after everyone else had spoken to me earlier on,’’ he said.

Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy with brother Riley Grundy after SA won the AFL U-18 championship match between Vic Metro and South Australia at Etihad Stadium.

“So I thought Port would be one of the last clubs to call me but I am absolutely stoked to be here.

“I was starting to think my name wouldn’t be called out so it was the best day of my life.’’

The Power has indicated Riley, who intends to study medicine in the future, is a project player who will be given time to develop and he will start by trying to add some muscle to his 84kg frame.

“I plan to hit the gym and get significantly bigger,’’ he said, adding he models his game on Crows lockdown defender Daniel Talia.

“Hopefully I’ve got Brodie’s genetics and get nice and toned and strong and muscley like him.’’

Fellow SA draft pick-up Boyd Woodcock, a small forward from North Adelaide who starred in the Roosters’ premiership-winning league finals series, was picked by Port three spots after Grundy at No. 76.

Woodcock said Hinkley had already asked him to be the “annoying’’ forward that was so effective during North's charge to a first flag in 27 years.

“Ken asked if I like being annoying, which was sort of the role ‘Carry’ (North coach Josh Carr) got into me in the SANFL finals,’’ he said, saying he is modelling his style on GWS star Toby Greene.

“Hopefully that role is something that I can do at this club.’’

Originally published as No brotherly love for the Grundys after coach Ken Hinkley calls