In his latest diary entry, Grundy shares with collingwoodfc.com.au readers what he has learned while take on some of the competition's best ruckmen and explains his preparation for his first finals campaign, which comes only six games into his fledgling career.
Click here to read Brodie's last diary entry.
Hi folks,
I have managed to play a few more games since I last jotted down my thoughts.
My round 21 performance against Hawthorn was my best senior game to date, and following that match I have been complimented on both my haircut (which is somewhat controversial) and my tap work.
My tap work in the ruck is something that has come naturally to me since coming to the sport a few years ago, but it has been refined since coming to the club at the end of last year, particularly under the guidance of midfield coach Robert Harvey and Ben Hudson.
I feel as if my basketball background has given me an advantage in the use of peripheral awareness and the ability to use the ball on a 360-degree basis. I think this is a common trait shared by most ex-basketballers (like Pendles) in today’s game.
Coming up against six-time All-Australian Dean Cox was a great experience in what was only my fifth game. The following week, I then had to back that up against North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein, which was another big challenge.
I had never imagined playing in the back end of the season, so this type of learning against the league’s best has been really beneficial so early in my career.
Cox has many ‘tricks’ in which I looked to get a handle on and implement into my own game. His experience is something I cannot fathom, but his body positioning and skill execution is something I am analyzing closely.
Goldstein plays in a similar fashion to Cox, in that he has an elite tap and body positioning. I found both Goldstein and Cox to be the hardest opponents thus far in my short career, but they have provided me with great learning points that will hold me in good stead come finals.
The main lessons I learned against them were where to run and the art of ruck work in general.
It has been fitting that with finals, spring has sprung, and the theme of growth has blossomed through the playing list. In the last six weeks leading into the finals, the team has been playing some of our best footy and strung some really good patches together, particularly against Essendon, Sydney and at times West Coast.
The intensity has lifted at training and there is a heightened sense of anticipation as this week's game comes closer.
With finals around the corner, it has been noticeable that the supporters have been coming out to the ‘captain’s run’ (the final training session of the week) before the game and it has been fun to interact with and sign a few jumpers with the fans.
I was the second Magpie to receive a Rising Star nomination (in round 22) after Marley Williams did so in round 18. I was quite shocked when I learnt of my nomination, and to be honest, this was not on my radar so late in the year. Having said that, I am very humbled to receive a nomination and I’ll have you know that Bucks didn’t mind letting me know about his inaugural Rising Star win in 1993!
I’m playing in my first Elimination Final this week and will be competing against a spirited Port Adelaide. Having lost to them in round 14, we will look to stamp our authority on the finals campaign by producing a convincing four quarter Collingwood performance this weekend.
I am excited by the competition ahead. Matthew Lobbe, the Power’s ruckman, is someone who I played against in the SANFL reserves a couple of years back. It will be a great challenge and will fit in as a guide to see how much I have improved since that time we last met.
At the beginning of 2012, I trained with Port Adelaide through the AIS-AFL Academy and spent a week at the club along with Melbourne’s Jimmy Toumpas. I got along with a couple of the boys, having played state footy with Chad Wingard and Sam Colquhoun, I went to university with Brad Ebert and spent most of my time with Hamish Hartlett during my visit.
Coming from South Australia, I have witnessed first hand Port Adelaide’s struggle over the past few years, but this year I cannot help but notice the supporters getting on board back home. That means it will be nice to silence the crowd with a big win this Saturday night.
It has been great playing senior footy this past month and getting involved with things outside the club.
For example, I have been going out for lunch with a few boys after the captain’s runs to get a look at different places around the city and to “experience the Melbourne café culture”, as Pendles says.
Helping to forge relationships off the field has no doubt helped on-field as it has been evident in player chemistry.
Above all this expectation and stress, it’s been good to keep in touch with the inner child. Swanny and I share a love for black jelly beans and don’t mind a bit of chasey throughout the day…it’s attracted that much attention that even Didak has been getting involved lately.
Until next time. Go Pies!
