How Brodie Grundy can take ultimate revenge over Max Gawn after moving to Sydney

New Sydney big man Brodie Grundy is making a compelling case to take the All-Australian blazer of the man who kept him out of a Melbourne finals side less than 12 months ago.

Sydney's Brodie Grundy during the Sir Doug Nicholls Round match between the Sydney Swans and Carlton Blues at the SCG on May 17, 2024. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only – **NO ON SALES** – ©Phil Hillyard )

Eight months ago Brodie Grundy’s star had fallen so far he couldn’t even get a game ahead of Josh Schache as Melbourne’s semi-final sub.

Now as Melbourne’s fire-sale trade price for Grundy gets worse by the week – they hold Sydney’s 2024 second-round pick – is the 30-year-old closing in on an All Australian jumper?

One he might steal from Gawn as the brilliant Melbourne captain attempts to win the seventh All Australian jumper that would take him past Dean Cox.

His great mate Taylor Adams certainly thinks so, saying on Sunday night of Grundy after a season-high 31 possessions: “He has got to be All Australian, doesn’t he, right now?”

Melbourne captain Gawn could scarcely have done more to state his case now that he is playing maximum ruck time again.

He averages 130 ranking points, 20.5 possessions, 35 hit-outs, 5.5 clearances and 5.8 marks.

Grundy isn’t far behind – 116 ranking points, 19.8 possessions, 32 hit-outs, 10.2 hit-outs to advantage and 5.5 clearances.

Sydney's Brodie Grundy hoofs it forward at the SCG earlier this season. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

He has at least closed the gap with two monster 150-ranking point games in the past fortnight – 24 possessions (21 contested) against Geelong then Saturday’s nine-clearance, 31-touch, 19 hitout-to-advantage game.

There is every chance he and his Demons rival could both share honours, with Gawn part of an All Australian team with two rucks four times in the past six years with Grundy (2018, 2019) and Nic Naitanui (2020, 2021).

What helps Grundy is he looks certain to be in the team that wins the minor premiership while Gawn’s Demons look in a tailspin.

It can’t be the deciding factor but for Grundy being such a huge part of a dominant midfield brigade must help his case.

Sydney's Brodie Grundy and Melbourne's Max Gawn clash in Opening Round in Sydney. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

As John Longmire said on Saturday night, Grundy could scarcely be doing more.

“He was significant, wasn’t he,” he said.

“His contested work in the last couple of weeks has been enormous and the longer the game has gone, the better he’s gone with that. He had a real presence around the footy, particularly in the second half.

“His impact around the ball was big and we had a good clearance game, particularly CBs (centre bounces) but he had an enormous contest and pressure game the longer the game went. His contest was really strong.”

Former Collingwood teammates Brodie Grundy and Taylor Adams share a moment at training. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Melbourne handed over pick 46 and a future second-rounder for Grundy, and would have few regrets given his wage is off their books and Gawn is dominating.

And yet that second-round pick is currently slotted in at pick 38 and will drift back further with academy and father-son bids.

Getting 30-year-old Grundy for two mid-40s picks (as well as Melbourne’s James Jordon as a free agent) is insane value.

Grundy is loving Sydney life and having a huge impact across the club according to his mate Adams, who has also built his form-line nicely.

“He is having an amazing year. His presence around the ground has been absolutely amazing,” he told 3AW.

“The boys are really appreciative of what he is doing around stoppage but just his leadership and ability to stay calm under pressure and execute, he’s been an incredible addition to the Swans footy club on and off the field.”

Originally published as How Brodie Grundy can take ultimate revenge over Max Gawn after moving to Sydney