Brodie Grundy dominates against Bulldogs again in Collingwood’s 52-point win
Collingwood ruck star Brodie Grundy delivered a dose of normality at an empty Marvel Stadium by destroying the Western Bulldogs — as usual — in the season-opener.
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The world may be going mad because of the coronavirus, but when it comes to Collingwood playing the Western Bulldogs things continue to be very normal.
History says that when these two teams meet Brodie Grundy puts on a clinic.
So while there was so much weirdness about an empty Marvel Stadium on Friday night, there was nothing strange about who was best-on-ground.
Grundy must think it's Christmas Day every time he plays the Dogs because he was once again the dominant performer in a polished display by the Magpies.
At one stage early in the second quarter the margin was 48 points, in the end last year's preliminary finalists cruised home by 52 points.
And it was all about that man Grundy, particularly early.
By midway through the opening quarter he had six touches, a goal and led the hitouts 10-2 against Bulldogs youngster Tim English.
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The tone was set and it was a nightmare Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has seen too many times.
In Round 4 last year Grundy had 23 disposals and a then career-high 58 hitouts to English's six.
When the teams clashed again in Round 14 Grundy had 50 hitouts, 25 touches and two goals.
On Friday night he finished with 19 possessions — 13 contested — four clearances, one goal and 37 hitouts to English’s 11.
But Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has praised ruckman Brodie Grundy for learning that stats are “irrelevant”.
“He (Grundy) has put some pretty good games together and some pretty good seasons,” Buckley said.
“He is an elite player in the competition but it’s not necessarily about his numbers, it’s going to be about how he connects with his teammates.
“He understands and accepts that if his averages of hit-outs or possessions drop a little that’s irrelevant, it’s largely about his impact and influence on the team.
“And we have worked really hard over the off-season to maximise that and to improve it because quite frankly it is an area that we can still improve in.”
GOOD ISOLATION
Scott Pendlebury’s preparation for the season-opener was more bizarre than most, which is saying something given the crazy events of the past week in the AFL.
The Magpies captain was put in quarantine earlier in the week with fears he’d contracted COVID-19.
Not exactly the ideal preparation, but there's a reason Pendlebury is regarded as one of the most professional players in the competition.
From the opening bounce he didn't miss a beat, finishing the evening with a classy 25 touches.
Other Pies to enjoy what was a glorified training run at times included Chris Mayne (29 possessions) Taylor Adams (12 clearances and 14 contested possessions) and Brodie Mihocek (three goals).
HORRIBLE DOGS
It was hard to watch and the stats sheet backed up how bad the Bulldogs were early doors.
They simply couldn’t get the ball forward and remarkably their third inside50 for the game didn't come until the 14-minute mark of the second quarter.
There were some embarrassing numbers for several Dogs with Bailey Dale and Lewis Young kickless for the first half while English and full-forward Aaron Naughton only had one disposal.
But an extraordinary kick across goal by defender Ryan Gardner which landed in the lap of Jordan De Goey (who missed the easy set shot) took the cake as the worst moment.
Unfortunately for Beveridge, there was no real improvement in the second half.
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BROWN DELIGHT
A nice moment in the opening quarter when the Brown brothers combined for the first time.
Older brother Callum ended up with the goal but it came about after Tyler, who was making his debut, who gave off a slick handball to set up the scoring opportunity.
It warranted a special celebration and they got that with what looked to be the boys’ grandmother jumping up and down in a corporate box which had been set aside for the family.
While they might be a bit smaller than their father Gavin, both of the Brown boys know how to find the pill with Tyler collecting seven possessions in the first quarter.
COLLINGWOOD 5.2 8.6 10.7 13.8 (86)
d
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.0 4.0 5.2 5.4 (34)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Wallis, Williams, Cavarra, Suckling, Bruce
Collingwood: Mihocek 3, Cox 2, Daicos 2, Elliott, Hoskin-Elliott, Grundy, C. Brown, De Goey, Adams
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Keath, Smith, Macrae, Hunter
Collingwood: Grundy, Adams, Pendlebury, Mayne, Mihocek, Howe, Sidebottom.
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Macrae (face/eye)
Collingwood: Nil
SCOTT GULLAN’S VOTES:
3. Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)
2. Taylor Adams (Collingwood)
1. Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
Originally published as Brodie Grundy dominates against Bulldogs again in Collingwood’s 52-point win