Indeed, as scribes and pundits rightfully flocked to praise the spirited performance of GWS’ flock of fledgling stars, lost somewhat in the milieu was the impressive introduction of ruckman Brodie Grundy.
Projected as a potential top three selection in the 2012 National Draft, Grundy’s unlikely recruitment at pick 18 was greeted with surprise, immediately finding himself labelled as ‘steal of the draft’ after slipping disbelievingly down the draft order.
Though an injury compromised pre-season tempered expectations for his debut season, Grundy’s progressively improving performances at VFL level provided sign of a player poised to make his mark in Black and White.
But it wasn’t until injury forced Darren Jolly and Ben Hudson aside that Grundy was able to break into Collingwood’s match day 22, paving the way for his inclusion at senior level.
Renowned variously for his aggression and athleticism, Grundy’s performance against GWS provided Collingwood fans with a tantalising glimpse of the future as he competed valiantly against GWS veteran Dean Brogan.
In amassing, 14 touches, 12 hit outs, seven tackles and five marks, Grundy appeared to make the transition to AFL football with ease in a performance which, statistically at least, ranks among the most impressive debuts by a Magpie ruck in the last 25 years.
Since 1988, eight ruckman have made their bow at AFL level in the Black and White, with Premiership star Damian Monkhorst making a debut memorable more so for its inauspicious nature.
Belying his future success at the Magpies, Monkhorst’s first outing saw him consigned to the role of spectator, a fixture on the bench throughout Collingwood’s 32 point win over Fitzroy in round two of 1988.
Ruck come forward Michael Gardiner was the next to feature a decade later, collecting six touches, eight hit outs and a goal against Carlton in 1998, before the arrival of 1999’s number one draft pick Josh Fraser.
In a debut strikingly similar to that of Grundy, Fraser would provide reason for optimism, with 12 disposals, 12 hit outs, four marks and a goal as Collingwood trumped Hawthorn by 54 points in the opening round of the 2000 season.
Pitted against legend Paul Salmon, Fraser certainly held his own, providing a portent for a career that would yield two Grand Final appearances, Victorian representation, 200 AFL games and Collingwood life membership.
Guy Richards (four disposals, three hit outs) and David Fanning (10 disposals, seven hit outs) were the next two big men rolled out in 2004 and 2005 respectively before Cameron Cloke debuted alongside brother Travis on Anzac Day of the latter year.
With Collingwood’s focus subsequently shifting to the acquiring of already developed rucks, such as Chris Bryan, Cameron Wood, Darren Jolly and Ben Hudson, it would be eight years before the Magpies would blood another debutant in Jarrod Witts.
Drafted via the New South Wales scholarship system, the magnitude of Witts’ first impression on head Collingwood recruiter Derek Hine was such that the club immediately sought to secure his services as a 15-year old in 2008.
Ultimately making his debut five years later, featuring in Collingwood’s 26 point win over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium this season, Witts’ subsequent displays, along with Grundy’s debut, should provide Magpie fans with confidence that its ruck division can be dominant in the years to come.
