Brodie Grundy is vital to Collingwood success and is Mick Malthouse’s Brownlow tip
There’s one key attribute all Brownlow medallists possess. And ahead of footy’s night of nights, Mick Malthouse believes that’s what separates Brodie Grundy from others.
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Increasingly the Brownlow Medal is awarded to the best ball-getting magnets in the AFL.
We are told umpires don’t look at the stats before they cast their votes and, quite frankly, I don’t care if they do or don’t. It is the umpires’ award after all.
But in a sport dominated by stats, it is worth looking at this.
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Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy averaged 41 hit-outs, 21 disposals and six clearances per game this home-and-away season. He also booted seven goals. He spent, on average, 100 minutes of each match on the ground.
Melbourne big man Max Gawn averaged 40 hit-outs, 17 disposals and five clearances a match. He also bagged seven goals this year and was used for 112 minutes a match on average.
Last year I tipped Gawn to win the Brownlow. This year I have selected Grundy.
Sooner or later, a dominant, matchwinning ruck, who is unreservedly necessary for his team’s advancement into the finals, will win the highest individual award in football.
Generally speaking, players who are noticeable attract the eye of the umpires.
These two big men, after stellar seasons (Gawn’s in a less successful team) stand out. A lot.
Grundy’s style is based on the old ruck-rover player. His follow-up work and ability to contribute around the ground is equal to any ruckman, past or present.
Collingwood has the best midfield in the league and Grundy is the icing on the cake as he supplies umpteen opportunities for his mids to clear the ball at stoppages.
While his beard and man bun attract attention, his athleticism undoubtedly would, too.
I’m not 100 per cent sure what more a ruckman can do to notch enough votes to join the likes of Gary Dempsey, Graham Moss, Peter Moore, Jim Stynes, Scott Wynd and Adam Goodes (who also played as a forward) and Brownlow-winning rucks.
Grundy and Gawn could hold their own against any of these Brownlow winners.
Of course there are other deserved favourites this year: Patrick Dangerfield, Patrick Cripps, Lachie Neale, Nat Fyfe, Scott Pendlebury and Marcus Bontempelli.
They each average a similar number of disposals (though Neale is the highest with 31.5 per game). They have a fairly similar clearance rate and all are on the ground for more than 100 minutes a game.
They are all big ball-getters, generally good users of the footy, and always stand out when their team wins. If they lose, often it is because they, in particular, have been nullified.
But there is one distinguishable factor that would catch the eye of the umpires more so, and that is the number of goals scored. Dangerfield has kicked 26 goals this year, significantly more than the rest.
Everyone sees the game differently, including the umpires. A big mark doesn’t resonate with me as much as it would for another footy supporter, because it’s the follow up that counts in my eyes.
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As I see it this year, as brilliant as Pendlebury is, and he may go down as the greatest Collingwood player in history, the Magpies can still get by without him thanks to a deep midfield.
Yet, no Grundy (or a quiet Grundy) and, no win for Collingwood.
The most important attribute of a Brownlow medallist is the effect he has on his teammates and the success of the team. So for me, it’s Brodie Grundy.