By Andrew Wu, Michael Gleeson and Mae James
Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy faces up to three months on the sidelines after injuring his knee on Anzac Day, as Carlton big man Marc Pittonet was also dealt a savage blow.
Both clubs will be without their No.1 ruckman for a large chunk of the season after suffering serious posterior cruciate ligament injuries from knee-on-knee collisions at the centre bounce.
Pittonet, who was instrumental to the Blues’ fast start to the season, is also staring at two to three months on the sidelines after rupturing the PCL in his knee in a ruck clash with Fremantle’s Sean Darcy on Saturday night.
Marc Pittonet went down with a knee injury in the first quarter against Fremantle.Credit: Getty Images
Blues coach Michael Voss had been hopeful Pittonet had suffered only a corked knee, but scans have revealed a far more serious injury, one which has serious ramifications to the club’s hopes of returning to the finals for the first time since 2013.
The Blues’ work at stoppage has been a strength in the first six rounds, one largely stemming from Pittonet’s ability to hit the ball to the advantage of his midfielders.
“The injury is obviously a significant one and will sideline Marc for an extended period of time, which is unfortunate given the amount of work he put in throughout the entire summer, and we were really starting to see the results of during the early parts of the season,” Carlton head of football Brad Lloyd said.
“While Marc won’t be able to have an impact on-field for the coming months, we have no doubt the energy and positivity he brings to our football club every day he walks through the door will continue.
“For now it’s about supporting Marc through his recovery, as he approaches his rehab with a focus to be available later in the season.”
Tom De Koning, 22, must now shoulder the bulk of the ruck duties but the Blues’ big man stocks are thin with untried rookie Alex Mirkov the only other specialist on the list.
The career of veteran Blue Ed Curnow hangs in the balance after he strained a calf last week at training. Curnow, whose start to the year was delayed by a knee injury, will be sidelined for an “indefinite” period, the club said.
Midfielder Matthew Kennedy has been cleared to return to face North Melbourne, but star forward Harry McKay (knee) and Jack Silvagni (ankle) must pass tests later this week.
Grundy clashed knees with Essendon ruckman Sam Draper in a ruck contest, and The Age confirmed on Tuesday morning that Grundy had injured the PCL in his knee. A PCL injury usually means a stint on the sidelines of 10-12 weeks.
Brodie Grundy in action on Monday. Credit: Getty Images
The news further soured the win for Collingwood after key forward and relief ruckman Nathan Kreuger dislocated his shoulder for the second time this year, and will need surgery which will rule him out for the rest of the season.
Collingwood football manager Graham Wright said Grundy would see a specialist later in the week and update on the treatment and recovery time frame.
“We are all disappointed for Brodie. While he is a key member of our team and will be missed, out of adversity comes opportunity for other members of the squad to play a role during this time,” Wright said.
Grundy had his best quarter of football all year and pleasingly returned to the type of form he regularly showed at his All-Australian peak in the last quarter when he lifted to help Collingwood to victory.
He finished the match with 16 disposals, three clearances and 33 hit-outs, eight of which were to advantage. More importantly he had six marks for the game. The week earlier against the Brisbane Lions he did not take a mark and had only taken nine marks across the first five rounds.
With Grundy out, Collingwood will look to second ruck and forward Darcy Cameron, and leaves the door ajar for Mason Cox. Ollie Henry and Trent Bianco, who kicked five goals in the VFL on the weekend, are also in contention for promotions.
The other option is exciting young prospect Aiden Begg, who the club picked up in the mid-season draft last year and who has club insiders very excited at his potential. The 19-year-old was coming off a shoulder reconstruction when he was selected and has barely played any senior football over the last two years.
Despite that his early season form in the VFL has been impressive. He played at the weekend after missing the previous game due to concussion. Even with Cox back in the VFL, Begg has been used as the first ruck with Cox playing from the goal square and relief ruck.
Key defender and occasional ruckman Jordan Roughead had finger surgery after the Brisbane game and is not due to return for at least another week.
Essendon’s Darcy Parish has avoided serious structural damage to his ankle and is a chance to play this week against the Western Bulldogs.
The 28-year-old Grundy is a dual All-Australian and Copeland Trophy winner. He signed a seven-year contract until the end of 2027 on a deal that averages about $925,000 a year.