Brodie Grundy’s heartbreak over Collingwood trade revealed in doco

Star ruckman Brodie Grundy has opened up on the devastating toll he endured during the AFL trade period in brand new footage.

Grundy is gone. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Brodie Grundy thought he’d be a Magpie for life.

The star ruckman inked a lucrative seven-year, $7 million deal with Collingwood ahead of the 2021 season, only to be dealt to a rival two years later.

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Grundy opened up on the bombshell moment the club went against his wishes and opted to trade him away during the off-season.

After putting pen to paper on his monster deal, the All-Australian big man thought chatter surrounding trade talks would die off, but as he found out following the 2022 season that wasn’t the case.

The towering AFL superstar revealed the heartbreak behind the process in raw scenes during Stan Sports’ Show Me the Money II documentary.

“That’s been one of the issues with this year with our situation. The echo chambers of social media and industry chatter,” he told his manager Robbie D’Orazio as he awaited a deal to be completed.

“I never thought that we’d be in this position, and that’s probably one of the uncomfortable realities that I’ve had to face, because I thought that chapter was done in terms of contract stuff.

“For me, when I signed my contract, you think you’re going to be a Pie for life. That’s the hardest thing.

“You have what is a really pure intent which starts when you walk in the door. You walk into a club as an 18-year-old and there’s banners of Nathan Buckley, Peter Daicos … and think that’s where you want to be – you want to be on a banner and contribute meaningfully to the club.

“I wanted to play 300 games for the club, this year has f***ed me.”

Grundy is gone. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

The 28-year-old revealed how he received no support from Collingwood coach Craig McRae which fuelled him to want to move on and exact revenge on the club at a new destination.

“I needed to hear that (support) from the coach,” he said.

“It’s one thing to have the suits wanting me to move on, but to hear it from the coach, that’s essentially my boss.

“So if you think you want me in your team, then cool, if not, I’ll ply my trade elsewhere and I’ll f***ng see you on Queen’s Birthday.”

Grundy’s trade away from Collingwood to Melbourne was finalised in October, in a move that shook up the foundations of the league.

The two All-Australian bigs. Pic: Michael Klein

Once the move was locked up a clearly relieved Grundy let his emotions pour out as he looked ahead to his next chapter of life in the AFL.

“It’s a load off the shoulders mate,” Grundy said to his manager.

“I didn’t know what was going to happen there, it was going to be a bit of a showdown, but I’m pumped. I don’t really know what to think.

“Obviously I’m just so grateful for the Pies and my time there, but we’ve just got to be really future focused now and get on the Dees’ train.”

The Demons kick off their pre-season against St Kilda on February 24 before opening their 2023 season against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on March 18.