AFL 2022: Max Gawn prepared to step aside as No.1 ruck as Melbourne make bold bid for Brodie Grundy
Melbourne has launched a bold bid to pair the competition’s two premier ruckmen — and a major switch could make it happen.
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Melbourne captain Max Gawn is prepared to step aside as the club’s No. 1 ruckman to accommodate the club’s bold play for Collingwood superstar big man Brodie Grundy.
The Demons’ selfless skipper has backed Melbourne’s bold bid to entice Grundy, 28, to Gosch’s Paddock in a move which would combine arguably the game’s two most dominant ruckmen in the side.
Gawn is headed for his sixth All-Australian jumper this year after another outstanding season leading the club’s ruck division, but there is a plan for the 30-year-old to play more forward next year in his 13th season.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin on Wednesday lauded the impact Gawn had had in the forward half in recent times despite going goalless (he has kicked four behinds) over the past six weeks.
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Gawn looked threatening in the forward half in the nail-biting loss to Collingwood on Friday night and polled the maximum 10 coaches votes for his stellar 31-possession and 27 hit-out performance.
But after two knee reconstructions on his right knee in the early part of his career, Melbourne is also aware it needs to help support and protect Gawn in a way which manages his huge physical loads throughout coming seasons.
News Corp on Tuesday revealed the Demons and Cats were weighing up moves for Grundy, a two-time Copeland Trophy winner, in the biggest curve ball of this year’s exchange period.
But the Demons’ plan is heavily contingent on Collingwood paying a hefty chunk of Grundy’s near $1 million a season salary, only two years after the Magpies agreed to chip-in more than $250,000 a year of Adam Treloar’s wage at the kennel.
Melbourne cannot afford to pay all of Grundy’s salary but could accommodate it at a discounted rate in an opportunistic attempt to manufacture potentially one of the best ruck combinations in the game’s history.
How much Collingwood is prepared to pay of Grundy’s new salary could also impact the trade deal. Melbourne will ask for two first-round picks from Fremantle for Jackson and would have to cough up at least one of them to Collingwood for Grundy, pending the salary contribution.
Goodwin said the club definitely wanted to play two ruckmen next season and had no problems with playing Gawn more forward, whether Jackson stays or goes.
The premiership coach would not confirm whether the Demons had followed in GWS’ footsteps and already met with Grundy.
“If you look at what has been happening, this year, especially in the last month, Luke Jackson’s been able to play in the ruck for us and you can see Max Gawn’s having a big impact for us forward of centre,” Goodwin said.
“Gawny‘s looking more and more dangerous as a forward and it is something that we’ve liked in the last three or four weeks and it’s something that we’ll continue to pursue.
“So two rucks is something, with the right mix, that will work for us.”
Melbourne’s priority is to re-sign back-up tall Luke Jackson, but have been forced to prepare replacement plans if Jackson, as expected, accepts a big money offer to play for Fremantle next season.
Grundy is the best option from the pool of available ruckmen with Fremantle’s Rory Lobb set to join Western Bulldogs alongside ex-Blue Liam Jones to help bolster Luke Beveridge’s spine in 2023.
While Melbourne is the frontrunner, the Cats are interested as they consider landing an A-Grade replacement for veteran big man Rhys Stanley, who remains contracted for next season.
The Cats are also stalking GWS midfielder Jacob Hopper and have the salary cap room to be aggressive in this year’s trade period on the back of an all-out assault on the 2022 premiership.
Grundy wants to stay at Collingwood, but has been forced to consider his options as the Magpies weigh up moves for GWS Giants midfielder Tim Taranto, speedster Bobby Hill and Brisbane marking target Dan McStay.
St Kilda is also still circling Jordan De Goey after another excellent performance for the Magpies upon his return from quad dramas.
Grundy has five more years to run on his contract and is widely considered one of the best big men in the game after signing a $950,000 a year deal.
GWS and Port Adelaide have also shown some interest in Grundy, but Melbourne is considered in the box seat if Jackson departs.
Grundy has undergone surgery for a stress fracture in his ankle and will miss the rest of the season following a posterior cruciate ligament injury in Round 6 against Essendon.
Trade trio in Pies’ sights if Grundy departs
Premiership heavyweights Melbourne and Geelong have emerged as potential new suitors for superstar Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy if he departs the Magpies.
In a surprise trade twist, Melbourne is eyeing Grundy, 28, as a top-line replacement option for Luke Jackson as the Demons wait to see if Jackson moves to Fremantle.
While GWS and Port Adelaide have both been linked to Grundy, it is understood the Demons and Cats may appeal to Grundy more if Collingwood asked the ruckman to explore his options.
The Giants have already interviewed Grundy, but are yet to appoint a senior coach for next season, making it difficult to map out their game plan or views on his potential role in the team.
The Demons want to continue their two-ruck strategy and would consider pairing arguably the two-best frontline ruckmen in the game together in Gawn and Grundy for next season.
Melbourne has scoured the player market for a ruck replacement for Jackson and have identified Grundy as the best available option, but only if Collingwood pay a hefty chunk of his salary.
Grundy is on $950,000 a season at Collingwood and has five more years to run on his contract.
But the Magpies are clearly open to trading Grundy as Collingwood circles star Greater Western Sydney star onballer Tim Taranto, speedster Bobby Hill and work horse Brisbane forward Dan McStay.
Collingwood has also flagged its intention to re-sign Jordan De Goey, but may not be able to secure all of their recruiting targets unless Grundy – who is one of the highest paid players in the game – moves on in a similar fashion to Adam Treloar in 2020.
Grundy has expressed his strong desire to stay at Collingwood after last week suffering a stress fracture in his ankle, ending his season. He hasn’t played AFL since a Round 6 knee injury.
Leading manager, Robbie D’Orazio, from Connors Sports on Tuesday downplayed any prospect of a move, saying Grundy was fully committed to the Magpies after an injury-ravaged year.
But Geelong is also considering its options on Grundy as well as contracted GWS midfielder Jacob Hopper.
The Cats have considerable salary cap room to help keep their premiership window open next season after smartly managing their contracts under respected list boss Andrew Mackie and legendary talent expert Stephen Wells.
Flag favourite Geelong has put off any firm decisions on their list until after their premiership assault is over.
But the club is set to be active in the trade period and would strongly consider bolstering its ruck options even though No. 1 big man Rhys Stanley, who turns 32 in December, remains contracted for next season.
They also have back-up veteran Jon Ceglar, versatile tall Esava Ratugolea and talented youngster Toby Conway.
But Grundy could provide the Cats with a significant edge in the midfield in combination with key forward dynamos Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron.
Collingwood chief executive Mark Anderson said the ball was in Grundy’s court.
“He’s got a contract and is committed to that. Clearly, anything that is changed would be his decision,” Anderson said.
Dual All-Australian and two-time Copeland Trophy winner Grundy this week said he wanted to stay, before heading in for season-ending surgery on his ankle.
“I’m going to be back bigger and stronger for you guys next year,” Grundy said.
Grundy finished equal sixth in the 2019 Brownlow Medal after polling 23 votes following a brilliant campaign averaging a staggering 42 hit-outs and 21 disposals a game.
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Originally published as AFL 2022: Max Gawn prepared to step aside as No.1 ruck as Melbourne make bold bid for Brodie Grundy
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