Swans veterans Heath Grundy and Jarrad McVeigh signal intent to play on in 2019

AS Heath Grundy prepares to make his return to football from a break for mental health issues, he and fellow veteran Swan Jarrad McVeigh have signalled their intentions for 2019. RE-CAP TRADE TV

HEATH Grundy will return to football from a break for mental health issues this weekend and is keen to play on into 2019.

Grundy has taken a fortnight’s break from the game to deal with his issues but will train for the second time this week on Thursday with a view to returning at NEAFL or senior level. BIG MESS: EMBATTLED SAINTS SET FOR MAJOR UPHEAVAL COSTLY DEFEATS: THE LOSS THAT COST YOUR CLUB MOST Grundy’s manager Phil Mullen said today he and Jarrad McVeigh remained keen to play on next year, with Alex Johnson’s latest cruel injury setback potentially helping Grundy’s cause. The Swans’ remain confident of re-signing brilliant halfback Jake Lloyd, with their position strengthened by Gold Coast’s waning interest in a player who finished second in last year’s Swans best-and-fairest award. Gold Coast has persistently been linked to Lloyd, but the Suns told Sydney recruiting and list boss Kinnear Beatson recently they had not offered Lloyd a contract and were unlikely to do so. They are keen to secure established players but felt it was unlikely Lloyd would move, with Sydney football boss Tom Harley telling the Herald Sun recently the club was confident it would resign the 24-year-old. Gold Coast has had its own win in recent days with David Swallow committing to signing a new contract extension past his free agency in 2019. Swallow’s management had explored interest back home in Perth but he will sign a new deal over the summer, with his brother Andrew playing with Aspley and linked to a potential development role at the Suns. Grundy had played 16 games this year as a reliable fullback before his mental health issues and at 32 remains keen to play on next year. “Things have improved and he is on the training track. He is keen to go on,” Mullins said. “Our most recent discussions were a few weeks ago and everything seemed OK (about playing on).” Sydney must work through its recruiting priorities for next year, with Johnson out for all of next year, Aliir Aliir recently re-signed, Lewis Melican is back in 2019 from hamstring issues and Dane Rampe is locked in as a defensive stalwart. The Swans have interest in Collingwood’s Darcy Moore but it is not known how strong a priority his recruitment is for a team which has historically had a tight salary cap. McVeigh is also keen to play on next year, back playing strong football in the past fortnight after time out with a soft tissue injury. At GWS, Dawson Simpson is in talks about a new contract despite a serious ankle injury that has ended his season. The football journeyman has played only 11 games in two years at the Giants after six years at the Cats but had been in career-best form before a serious ankle injury. The Giants have an extremely tight salary cap given their star-studded line-up, with Victorian rivals circling Dylan Shiel. Heath Shaw, out for the year with medial ligament surgery, is contracted for next year as is Brett Deledio, battling to return late in the year after recurring calf issues. Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >

Originally published as Swans veterans Heath Grundy and Jarrad McVeigh signal intent to play on in 2019