Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says Brodie Grundy won’t play against Collingwood

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has had his say on the potential exit of one of the club’s biggest stars, confirming a meeting has taken place.

Melbourne has no issue with Brodie Grundy meeting with other clubs. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has all but confirmed Brodie Grundy won’t play against Collingwood but says he doesn’t have a problem with the ruckman meeting with other clubs during the finals series.

Goodwin confirmed Tom McDonald would replace Jake Melksham in the Demons forward line on Thursday night, and while he did not rule Grundy out, potential slippery conditions at the MCG leave it unlikely for Melbourne to include another tall.

The coach said he was aware of Grundy’s meeting with key Port Adelaide figures last week but did not have an issue with the stranded ruck exploring his options on the eve of the finals.

“No issue from my end, I think we’re a mature industry now, there’s probably 50 players around the league that would be meeting with different clubs at this time of the year, and it’s pretty commonplace in the industry these days,” Goodwin said.

Brodie Grundy won’t play against Collingwood. Picture: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images

“Brodie’s a professional footballer, he’s a really mature player … he has really loved the Melbourne footy club and doing what he does here.

“He knows he’s got a four-year contract, and he knows he’s going to keep pushing this year to play finals footy.”

Goodwin said he had not discussed Grundy’s future with him but was comfortable the former Magpie remained committed to the Demons’ premiership push.

“No, we’re across what’s going on there – our list manager and the (player) managers are involved in all those discussions, and we really understand what’s going on,” he said.

“I don’t need to have that conversation with Brodie, I know what he does from a day-to-day perspective, I know he’s going to train to a really high level and be ready to perform, and that’s the industry we live in now.”

Goodwin said Bayley Fritsch had trained fully this week and there was “no question” over the star forward’s availability for Thursday night, while he said McDonald had “got his timing right” ahead of just his seventh senior game for the season.

Goodwin says Bayley Fritsch is certain to play after training fully this week following an injury scare against the Swans. Picture: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images

“He’s played the last three games really well in the VFL, he’s kicking goals, he’s moving better, he’s got his body 100 per cent fit and healthy,” Goodwin said.

“He’s a really important player for us – he’s a leader, and he’s proven that he can play well in finals footy, so we’re rapt to have him back.”

With Richmond and Geelong failing to qualify, Melbourne is the only side with notable premiership experience in the top eight, with Sydney (2012) and Collingwood (2010) the next most recent success stories.

Goodwin said what the Demons had learnt from their 2021 flag would be significant during September.

“I think you can draw on those experiences, there’s no question about that,” he said.

“Both in terms of what it takes to be successful in finals, and also some of the things that are challenging within finals.

“We talk about a mindset, about being really clear about what wins in big games … it will come down to winning more moments – (having) a mature group that understands what it takes is important.”

Originally published as Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says Brodie Grundy won’t play against Collingwood