AFL trade news 2023: Sydney set to swoop on Melbourne ruckman Brodie Grundy

Sydney is now favourite to secure Brodie Grundy in the exchange period. But how will the Swans fit him in? And how have they pushed past the Power? Here’s the latest.

Sydney is set to swoop on dual All-Australian Brodie Grundy as the Swans prepare to buck their own trend by trading in multiple ready-made stars to steel themselves for a shot at premiership glory.

Grundy, 29, met with Port Adelaide recently and the growing expectation of the football world was that he would request a trade home to South Australia to bolster the Power’s midfield brigade.

But the Swans will also go hard at Grundy following the retirement of ruckman Tom Hickey and it emerged on Saturday they were the frontrunner to secure his services.

“Over the last 10 years we’ve probably had the least amount of players traded into our club,” Swans coach John Longmire said on Friday night.

“If you look at the finals series our average age is seventh or eighth. We’re a fair way off Collingwood, who are three or three and a half years older than us on average,” Longmire said.

“There’s a bit of growth there – but it doesn’t just come with age only. It comes with sometimes learning some hard lessons.”

Sydney has emerged as the frontrunner for Brodie Grundy. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

But with Grundy and free agent Ben McKay (North Melbourne) in the Swans’ sights they are set to be an active player in the off-season as they chase a second flag under Longmire, who is contracted for two more seasons.

St Kilda, which was the other club eliminated on the weekend, is set to secure Fremantle wingman Liam Henry.

The Saints still plan to take three or four picks to the national draft but coach Ross Lyon recently identified a need for more leg speed and midfielders.

Swans full-back Tom McCartin blanketed dual Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow on Friday night and the addition of McKay and Grundy would significantly enhance their premiership chances next season.

While Sydney’s salary cap remains tight, the departures of Lance Franklin and Hickey should free up roughly $1 million.

Rival clubs noted on Saturday that with so many long-term contracts the Swans would also have the flexibility to move money around.

They have locked away Nick Blakey (until 2031), Callum Mills (2029), Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley (2028).

Sydney is armed with picks No.21 and No.29, which will be both bumped back about five places due to matched bids on draft night and compensation.

One of those selections could be enough to satisfy Melbourne if it agrees to release Grundy, who is contracted for another four seasons.

Could Ben McKay land at the Swans too? Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

The annual ruck merry-go-round will ramp up in coming days when All-Australian Tim English’s understudy Jordon Sweet (Western Bulldogs) makes his intentions known.

Sweet has not accepted an offer tabled by the Dogs and his VFL season ended when Footscray was beaten in a semi-final on Saturday.

The 25-year-old has interest from multiple clubs but is not expected to be pursued by the Swans, who have eyes for Grundy.

An awkward applause rang around the MCG on Thursday night when Grundy was shown on the big screen as Melbourne and Collingwood slugged it out in what was a fiery qualifying final.

The Magpies moved Grundy on last year and the Demons sold him a dream of partnering Max Gawn in the ruck that has turned into a living nightmare for Grundy after coach Simon Goodwin pulled the plug on that experiment in July.

Grundy will be considered for Friday night’s semi-final against Carlton but is still certain to ask for a trade.

Originally published as AFL trade news 2023: Sydney set to swoop on Melbourne ruckman Brodie Grundy