Brodie Grundy equals 40-year Copeland trophy ruck mark by winning consecutive Collingwood best and fairest awards
It’s still uncertain whether Brodie Grundy will be at Collingwood beyond his current deal but, after winning his second best-and-fairest, the superstar ruckman says his focus is driving the Magpies to a 16th premiership next season.
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Brodie Grundy has vowed to help build an even greater chemistry in the Collingwood midfield next year as the Magpies look to get more bang for their buck from his hit-out supremacy.
Grundy became the first Collingwood ruckman since Peter Moore in 1979-80 to win back-to-back Copeland Trophies, further enhancing his claims for a long-term deal to stay with the club.
He drew a vocal cheer from the Collingwood faithful by saying how desperate he is to help drive the club towards that elusive 16th premiership.
He had 73 hit-outs against Greater Western Sydney in this year’s preliminary final loss, but the club still lost the clearances.
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“Obviously I had a number of hit-outs that were largely ineffective and I take responsibility for that,” Grundy said.
“I am a part of the midfield group, so that (connection) is an area we will obviously address next year.
“We feel as a group we have a lot of scope (to improve) so if we can capitalise on what I am doing in there and build our connection, (it will be a good thing).
“We have some amazing players in the midfield, so if we can get that going and ignite that even more in 2020, we will be cooking with gas.”
Grundy is contracted until the end of next year and is keen to stay, but wants a lucrative seven-year deal as a reward for his outstanding form in recent seasons as the best ruckman in the game.
The Magpies have so far been unwilling to budge past a three-year offer.
Grundy will be a free agent at the end of next season.
“As far as I am concerned, I am just really looking forward to next year and playing my role and continuing to try and improve and drive the group to be better,” he said.
“I am not too worried about the tenure (of a new deal) or anything like that.
“We obviously wanted to win a premiership, that was our main focus (this year), and that (the contract talk) will continue to ramp up now the season is done.”
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The 25-year-old was a joint winner of the 2018 best and fairest along with Steele Sidebottom, but was a clear winner on 174 votes last night.
Skipper Scott Pendlebury continued his extraordinary run in Copeland Trophy voting, finishing second, 16 votes behind Grundy, while Jack Crisp was rewarded for another extremely consistent season, with third place.
Grundy finished sixth in the Brownlow Medal late last month after another stellar season, having averaged the most disposals (21.3), contested possessions (13.7) and clearances (6.1) of any ruckman in the AFL.
In last night’s Copeland count, he polled in 18 of his 24 matches.
Grundy said he was honoured to have won a second Copeland Trophy but said the drive for a flag was stronger than ever after last year’s heartbreaking Grand Final loss to West Coast and this year’s preliminary final loss to the Giants.
“It’s been an awesome last couple of years with the team performing as well as they have,” he said.
“Ultimately, the season didn’t finish the way we would have liked.”
“What we want to work for is that flag that has just eluded us ever so slightly … we will be working towards that next year.”
The All-Australian ruckman said this week he was ready to sign a new deal with Collingwood, but was desperate to secure his long-term future, hinting that a return to Adelaide to be closer to his family remained an outside option.
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If he doesn't re-sign with the club in the pre-season, Grundy’s status could become one of the biggest talking points in football, as become a free agent at the end of the 2020 season.
Moore, the father of Magpie defender Darcy, was the last Collingwood ruckman to win successive Copeland Trophies in 1979 and 1980.
Pendlebury's second placing meant he has now finished in the top three of the Copeland Trophy in 11 of his 14 AFL seasons.
Adam Treloar (fourth) and Brayden Maynard (fifth) rounded out the top five in the voting counting.
Brody Mihocek won the Gordon Coventry Trophy as the club's leading goalkicker with 36, while mid-season draftee John Noble won the Harry Collier Trophy as the best first year player.
Geva Mentor (Magpies Netball), Alex Woodward (VFL), Jaimee Lambert (VFLW) and Brendan Stroud (VWFL) were named the best performed players in their teams.
Tyson Goldsack made an emotional farewell speech on the night, while Callum Brown won the club’s pressure act award named after his father, Gavin Brown.
Coach Nathan Buckley stressed on Friday night 2019 hadn’t been “a wasted year” but the loss to the Giants was “a wasted opportunity”.
THE TOP 10
1. Brodie Grundy 174 votes
2. Scott Pendlebury 158 votes
3. Jack Crisp 147 votes
4. Adam Treloar 141 votes
5. Brayden Maynard 124 votes
6. Steele Sidebottom 118 votes
7. Tom Phillips 116 votes
8. Jeremy Howe 115 votes
9. Brody Mihocek 106 votes
10. Jordan Roughead 105 votes
Originally published as Brodie Grundy equals 40-year Copeland trophy ruck mark by winning consecutive Collingwood best and fairest awards
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