Brodie Grundy reflects on reaching 200-game AFL milestone

Brodie Grundy has been one of the dominant — and most successful — ruckmen of the modern era. Ahead of his 200th AFL game, he reflects with LACHLAN MCKIRDY.

Brodie Grundy will celebrate his 200th AFL game when he runs out against Gold Coast on Sunday. Picture: Phil Hillyard

One word comes to mind for Brodie Grundy when he tries to sum up April so far: “Overwhelming.”

In the past fortnight, the Swans’ ruckman has turned 30 and finished his final exam for his MBA at Melbourne Business School. On Sunday, he will also take to the field for his 200th AFL game when he runs out against the Gold Coast Suns.

It’s been a lot to take in for an individual who finds joy in always being busy.

“I’ve had a lot of milestones that have culminated in April … it’s been very much about me this last couple of weeks which I’m not used to,” Grundy said.

“The family is coming up on Sunday and it’s gonna be good vibes hopefully.”

With his fiancee Rachael also studiously completing a Juris Doctor, it’s left Grundy with an unusual amount of spare time on his hands.

When usually he would be hitting the books or interacting with classes, he’s been able to flick on the TV instead.

After a whirlwind six months that included a move to Sydney, Grundy is finally relishing the chance to have a bit of down time. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I’m actually watching The Sopranos at the moment,” he said. “I’m winding back the clock because I hadn’t seen it. And I’m binging it, to be honest.

“I don’t usually permit myself to do much TV watching. But now when you don’t have this big part of your life with the study being finished, I’ve had to fill the time with something.

“For now, I’m enjoying turning 30, finishing my postgrad study and playing 200 games. I think I’ve earned a little bit of free time to just put my feet up and watch a bit of Netflix and smell the roses a bit.”

Grundy’s career is already one for the record books as one of the most damaging ruckmen this century. He’s fourth on the list for both hitouts and hitouts to advantage after 200 matches, highlighting just how much of an impact he’s been able to have around the stoppages.

But his new-found time has provided him with the space to properly appreciate the occasion he is set to celebrate against the Suns.

“I remember when I played my 100th game, I felt like I still had so much more to achieve,” Grundy said. “I didn’t really stop and take a moment to reflect on that milestone.

“But I’m certainly in a space where I’m acknowledging the gravity of the milestone, I suppose.

“I don’t feel as a player I have changed much. I think at my core I’ve maintained that competitive, follow-up ruckman style. But as a person, I’ve matured and evolved with the experiences that I’ve had in my career.

“You think back to (old) pictures and scrapbooks, my nan was someone who did those things, and it was nostalgic whenever I went back to Adelaide. Cutting out the first newspaper article when you’re 16 like all grandparents do, they were a big part of my success.

“I’m very fortunate to be in the position I am. I try and maintain a level of perspective that what I do for work is really, really cool and I try and have a lot of fun while I do it.

“I have experienced that it can be taken away from you, whether it’s through injury or form or team dynamics. I’ve always tried to maintain a level of perspective and treat the game with the respect that it deserves.”

He might not have changed much as a footballer, but Grundy knows he’s made massive strides as a person since he was first drafted.

Sydney is set to reap the rewards of a reinvigorated Grundy, who has already shown in his first five games in the red and white that his best footy is still ahead of him.

Currently in his 12th season in the AFL, Grundy’s maturity makes him such an influential part of the culture that Sydney is trying to cultivate. He knows he has an integral role to play as a leader in the team, whether that’s on or off the field.

“I’ve got a small circle in terms of my friends and family and they’re the first ones to give me a pump up, but also be the first ones to tell me, ‘You’ve got plenty more to go, don’t rest on your laurels’,” he said.

“So I think it’s that balance of stopping and smelling the roses but still wanting to maximise your potential and time in the game. That balance as a professional is difficult at times … but I think as I’m getting older I’m finding it a lot more.

“By virtue of my personality, I tend to think a little bit more deeply about bits and pieces, which some people like to lean into and some people don’t, which is totally fine. But at its core, we are all learning and have different experiences through our time playing AFL.

“Nathan Buckley said to me, the quote was, ‘When the student is ready the master will appear’. I’ve been around a while now and I really enjoy those conversations and helping to mentor and shape the perspective of what we do as professional athletes.”

Grundy has fit in seamlessly at the Swans and is embracing the chance to share his experience with his teammates. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Grundy hasn’t had the best track record of capping off his milestone games with a win as he prepares for this week’s Gold Coast match. His 50th and 100th matches ended in defeat, while he was able to turn the tide in game 150 when the Pies won their 2020 elimination final against West Coast.

The Swans are under no allusion they can take any complacency into the Suns’ clash either, with the visitors winning in three of their past five visits to the SCG.

But the game is set to act as another reminder for Grundy of just how quickly life can change as he goes up against Jarrod Witts.

The pair started their AFL careers together at Collingwood in 2013, and when they come face-to-face for the first centre bounce, it’s set to be another healthy dose of perspective as he tries to cap off a massive month in style.

“When I first started 12 years ago, if you said that I’d be playing my 200th game against Jarrod Witts for Sydney in Sydney against the Gold Coast, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Grundy said.

“It’s funny how things turn out and it’s going to be a really close game.

“They’re in red-hot form, particularly their work around stoppage and clearance, their midfield is going to be a strong focus area for us so we need to get that right.”

Originally published as Brodie Grundy reflects on reaching 200-game AFL milestone