Brodie Grundy
Selection No. 18; H: 202cm; W: 100kg, DOB: 15/4/94
“I couldn't be happier. Playing for the biggest club in the country, at the MCG, it doesn't get better than that.
“We (Grundy and fellow South Australian draftee Ben Kennedy) would occasionally talk about the idea of being drafted to the one club, sort of thinking how good it would be to continue to play together but not really expecting it to happen.
“And then it turned out that with 'Broomy' (Collingwood's third selection Tim Broomhead, also from South Australia) coming along... we've got friends at the club already.
“I had no real idea that Collingwood was going to take me. I hadn't spoken with them a lot. When I heard my name read out I was ecstatic but a little surprised, too. Right now, I'm thinking about what an opportunity I've got - a great club, a big club. What can you say? It feels surreal.”
Ben Kennedy
Selection No. 19; H: 174cm; W: 74kg; DOB: 3/3/94
“I'm over the moon to play for Collingwood. I'm stoked to play for the Pies. I'm good mates with Brodie Grundy and Tim Broomhead so I'm even happier with to go with them. I watched the draft with my dad, mum and my two younger brothers and there was a sense of the unbelievable. My dad went nuts and my mum went nuts.
“A few players called and messaged me. It's just an unbelievable experience. You watch them on TV and then to hear from them is unbelievable.
“I spoke to Nathan Buckley and he congratulated me but says the hard work starts now, which is what I expected at the start. Making a name for yourself and training and paying back the faith of the club.”
Tim Broomhead
Selection No. 20; H: 182cm; W: 75kg; 22/3/94
“I was watching it at home with my family and a mate and was just hoping for the best and got lucky with Collingwood. Throughout the day I wasn’t too nervous and I kept myself occupied by watching the cricket so I didn’t think about it too much.
“I spoke to 15 clubs prior to the draft and I am very excited that the Pies picked me. I know the two other boys who were picked up before me I actually shared a room with Grundy in Melbourne.
“I have had a few text messages with Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke and Nathan Brown all contacting me. Nick Maxwell and Nathan Buckley also called me.
“I am heading down to Melbourne this weekend and will go to America with the rest of the team on December 4 so it is all happening really fast. I know there is a lot more hard work to be done. It’s going to take a lot of hard work to get to where I want to be at.”
Jackson Ramsay
Selection No. 38; H: 181cm; W: 71kg; DOB: 20/11/94
“I was watching the draft with my whole family and I was getting my mindset ready for the worst. I kept thinking I would be playing at East Perth again next year.
“Scott Pendlebury was the first player to text me and then Nick Maxwell called me. Bucks also spoke to me about a few things and mentioned he wanted me going over to Utah which is exciting.
“I have a 9am training session tomorrow morning which will be weights so I won’t change my routine too much before I head to Melbourne. It’s something I do on the side for East Perth but I guess things will change a little bit when I go to Melbourne.”
