Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy points to more than dollars to consider in his next contract

Collingwood’s All-Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy is pointing to lifestyle questions — that could favour a return home to Adelaide — to consider with his next AFL contract.

Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy has lifted optimism for Adelaide to make a play for his signature by declaring his willingness to consider a return to SA as he prepares to sign a big contract in the next 12 months. Picture: Michael Klein.

• Talia loving the lock-down Crows
• Jenkins hoses down trade rumours

Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy has given the Crows reason to make a pre-free agency play on the All-Australian — and not just for football reasons.

Grundy, 25, has signalled the go-home factor to Adelaide — where it would be more appealing to start a family than in Melbourne — could play a significant part in his critical next contract talks.

Adelaide is certainly expected to have Grundy as a prime recruiting target if the former Sturt ruckman was to fall into free agency at the end of AFL Season 2020.

But the Crows’ hold on Carlton’s first-round draft pick — currently No. 1 — opens the door for a lucrative trade in October. Adelaide would seek to tempt Collingwood with that No. 1 pick emphasising this is more than the AFL would offer as compensation for losing a restricted free agent in 2020.

Grundy on Friday spoke for the first time of what he will consider as the 2012 first-round draftee (No. 18) awaits his next contract — a long-term deal that will deliver more than $1 million a season.

“A long-term contract will be projecting into the next chapter in my life,” Grundy said. “I have to weigh up what that looks like for me ... in terms of if I want to have a family and kids and all that enjoyable stuff.”

Sam Jacobs of the Crows taps over Brodie Grundy of the Magpies last season. Picture: AAP Image/Sam Wundke

Grundy, a 117-game player in seven seasons at Collingwood, is not surprised in being heavily linked to the Crows as Adelaide considers its options in building a new ruck battery beyond Sam Jacobs.

“The reality is I am from Adelaide — and, obviously, have my family and all my friends there,” Grundy said.

“And that is something that I wouldn’t say no to being in Adelaide at some point in my life.”

Grundy’s remarks play the perfect hand in the lead-up to free agency. He has effectively encouraged Adelaide to start the discussion with his management — and left Collingwood to consider the merit of avoiding the free agency trap by trading a contracted Grundy at the end of his seventh season.

The No.1 draft pick — gained by Adelaide with Carlton’s eagerness to recruit Liam Stocker in

last year’s AFL national draft — dramatically changes the landscape on how Grundy’s contract talks at Collingwood might need to be advanced by 12 months.

Brodie Grundy of the Magpies competes for the ball against Blake Acres of the Saints. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

As a restricted free agent, Grundy would be compelled to stay at Collingwood if the Magpies chose to match any offer from Adelaide. AFL clubs have resisted such moves since free agency was introduced at the end of 2012.

But most critical in the Grundy scenario is the salary cap capacity at both Adelaide and Collingwood as the All-Australian ruckman appears capable of commanding a long-term contract worth $7 million.

Whichever club — Adelaide or Collingwood — succeeds in signing Grundy would inevitably face a salary cap squeeze that would prompt conceding a player into the trade market.

Originally published as Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy points to more than dollars to consider in his next contract