Grundy was one of nine nominees to receive a vote from the selection panel headed up by Andrew Demetriou (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Mark Evans, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Cameron Ling, Mark Ricciuto and Kevin Sheehan.
The fact that Grundy was able to poll a vote is noteworthy for he only debuted in round 18 and played a total of six games.
Marley Williams, who was nominated in round 18, did not poll a vote but has shored up a place in Collingwood’s first choice team after playing 15 senior games in a row.
Gold Coast wunderkind Jaeger O’Meara was a very deserving winner, polling 44 of a possible 45 votes.
Each member of the selection panel chooses their top five players, with five votes awarded to their preferred player, four to their second most preferred, and so on.
2013 AFL Rising Star Voting
44 – Jaeger O’Meara (Gold Coast)
31 – Brad Crouch (Adelaide)
26 – Oliver Wines (Port Adelaide)
11 – Tom Mitchell (Sydney), Aaron Mullett (North Melbourne)
7 – Nick Vlastuin (Richmond)
3 – Lachie Whitfield (Greater Western Sydney)
1 – Brodie Grundy (Collingwood), Sam Mayes (Brisbane)
Brodie Grundy
Nominated in round 22
Debut: Round 18, 2013, v Greater Western Sydney
Drafted: Selection No. 18 in the 2012 National Draft
Junior Club: Unley/Sturt (SANFL)
2013 Games: 6
2013 Goals: 1
Averages: 13.6 disposals, 5.5 kicks, 2.6 marks, 8.1 handballs, 21.0 hitouts, 4.8 hitouts to advantage, 7.6 contested possessions, 2.8 clearances, 0.1 goals
Why he’s impressed: It’s impossible to put a ceiling on what Grundy might achieve. He has looked remarkably comfortable for a 19-year-old ruckman who has come up against and countered opponents the calibre of Dean Cox, Shane Mumford, David Hale, Patrick Ryder and Mike Pyke. His agility, competitiveness, attack on the footy and refusal to be intimidated have shone through. Those traits, combined with his easy-going and affable nature, have already made him a favourite of the Magpie Army.
