An opportunity to combine all of his passions under the one roof was the enticing factor for Brady Grey to join Collingwood in a dual role ahead of 2025.
Grey, a proud Palawa man who played 21 games for the Fremantle Dockers between 2014-18, has joined the Club as its Indigenous Player Development Manager (PDM), while he will also pull on the black and white jumper at VFL level next season.
Combining that with a development role within the VFL program, Grey will soon become a conduit through all parts of the Club, with his impact both on and off the field to be profound.
“It’s really exciting and I can’t wait to get going,” Grey said.
“Clearly it’s a big Club and I’ve adored them from afar for a period of time.
“I was at Freo the last couple of years in a coaching role and looking at a few different options from a personal standpoint and an opportunity came up through conversations with Collingwood to come over as the Indigenous PDM.
“I still want to keep playing VFL footy and play for as long as I can and I saw Collingwood as a really good opportunity for myself as a player but also to keep my coaching credentials going along and bring a bit of leadership.”
The coaching credentials that Grey alludes to have been built over the past half a decade since finishing his career at the top level.
Beginning with Hawthorn’s AFLW side in 2022, Grey then moved back to Fremantle in a development role for seasons 2023 and 2024.
Grey’s time at the Hawks also saw him employed as the Indigenous PDM, a role he is now excited to rekindle with now that he’s in the black and white.
“I was at Hawthorn for a year as the Indigenous PDM and coached in the women’s space and then the last two years a dual role at Freo with some development coaching in the AFL program,” he said.
“It’s something I’ve been doing balancing both for the last few years so I get enjoyment out of crossing over lots of different programs and getting to know lots of people.”
With now over a decade of experience in the AFL/W, Grey is well equipped for what is set to be a mammoth workload in 2025.
Hailing from the Burnie Dockers Football Club in the north-west of Tasmania – the same club as Brody Mihocek – the utility was taken with the 58th pick in the 2013 draft.
While playing at AFL level for as long as possible was always the dream, his ability to form relationships and learn on the go has helped him transition seamlessly.
“Things have happened pretty organically which is exciting and I’ve been in footy long enough so I’ve learnt a lot of things and met a lot of people,” he said.
“A lot of opportunities I’ve had have been through working and when I was a player it was just about playing but also understanding that there’s a career post footy that you want to get into.
“It’s happened pretty organically and I’m pretty grateful that the opportunity has popped up here where I can keep playing and also look at off-field development through the player development space as well as coaching.”
With over 120 state league games in the WAFL as well as a season for the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL, Grey will be a welcome addition to a youthful VFL list at the Pies.
“I’ve spent about 10 years in the WAFL and a year in the VFL as well so I sort of am an older statesmen and you get the different grasp of playing in a different state league,” he said.
“I finished last year with a flag so to finish the WAFL side of things with a premiership was pretty special.
“Coming over here you’re going to be playing with a bunch of guys just starting their career whether that’s the VFL guys trying to get on a list or the AFL guys still coming through the VFL system, so there’ll be a lot of young guys running around so I’ll try keep myself young.
“I am only 29 so I can bring my experience and it’s just great for me to be able to play VFL footy and try and pass on a few things that I’ve learnt over my time.
“Everyone loves winning games of footy and I’m certainly not going to shy away from winning as many games as possible but also help develop people on and off the field.”
