Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy has committed his career to the Magpies by signing a long-term deal a season in advance of becoming a free agent.
The two-time Copeland Trophy winner and two-time All-Australian has agreed to a seven year offer that secures his tenure at the Holden Centre until the end of the 2027 season.
Already considered to be one of the most influential players in the game, at 25 years of age Grundy is approaching the sweet spot years of his career that are typically a ruckman’s most productive.
Love this club. Love this group. Magpie Army, I’ve signed on.🔒🦄 pic.twitter.com/pIby9jFkCq
— Brodie Grundy (@brodiegrundy) January 16, 2020
The South Australian has played 132 matches for Collingwood since making his debut in 2013, in round 18 against Greater Western Sydney. He has missed only 13 games since and none in the last two seasons in which he created for himself a rare role as a ruckman/mid-fielder.
2019 Copeland Trophy recap: Grundy goes back-to-back
Grundy amassed in excess of 1000 hit outs in each of the 2018 and 2019 campaigns but also averaged over 20 possessions per match, led Collingwood’s contested possession game and became one of its best clearance players.
Across his career, Grundy has averaged 31.87 hit outs and 17.6 disposals per match.
“Clearly, at this age and point in my career, it was an important decision,” Grundy said.
“I took my time to consider all of the things that mean the most to me - my football, my ambitions, my life beyond the game, my family, friends, team-mates and the football club – and settled on what I believe is best for all of those relationships, needs and passions.
“I want to be able to find the very best version of myself, as a person and a footballer, but I also want to contribute to the greater good, to the whole. I know that, in a football sense at least, what ‘Bucks’ and the group are creating is a cause worth continuing to invest in passionately.
“There is so much more to come, personally and collectively.”
Collingwood list manager, Ned Guy, said Grundy is poised to deliver some of his best seasons.
“Brodie is clearly a very, very good footballer who is important to Collingwood’s future,” Guy said.
“Brodie is physical in the way he plays the game. He prepares exceptionally well which explains, in part, his durability. He wants to lead, wants to improve, wants to set an example and dominate. He is rarely content with his game.
“We love the fact that he sees so much scope for improvement and is determined to be as good as he can possibly be even though, at 25 years of age, he is already an influential player on the field and, increasingly, in the change room.
“If you look at Brodie’s performances, he is on an upswing. It will be fascinating, and a joy, to see Brodie’s future unfold.”
