In his third diary entry, Grundy tells collingwoodfc.com.au about how his first ANZAC Day as a Collingwood footballer and provides supporters with an update on his progress on the training track as he overcomes a back injury.
Click here to read Brodie's last diary entry.
Hi everyone,
Since my last diary entry, I have been nearing the end of my rehabilitation and I experienced my first ANZAC Day as a Collingwood player.
On the day before the game against Essendon, all the new recruits went to the Shrine of Remembrance for a tour. It made me remember the time I went to Gallipoli two years ago. That was sick.
Over the past couple of years I have developed a more profound meaning towards ANZAC Day and have come to understand its importance and relevance to the modern day Australian.
I have been privileged to visit ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine in Gallipoli which was an experience of a lifetime and one that I cherish as a reminder of how lucky we are to live here in Australia.
When the Last Post played at the MCG I watched the boys lock arms with mateship and I stood there, numbed, and reflected on ANZAC Cove.
It is a place where my bones were chilled not only by the cool spring breeze that swept over the ceremony but also by the eerie nature of where our ancestors once fought for us.
I wandered down onto the beach after the sun rose in the misty dawn and gazed out into the horizon and imagined the ships anchoring and the troops marching in. I could visualize the ghosts galloping through the water with their bayonets raised. The wind came sweeping in off the shore and it was as if I could feel the ANZAC spirit run straight through me. It was quite profound.
Climbing up the face of the mountain side, with the shrubbery overlapping the path that was made all those years ago, it was easy to imagine how difficult it would have been to take control over the Turkish.
As it was spring at the time, flowers bloomed amid the rough terrain and it stood out to me as strong symbolism of regrowth and new life, as a person from the 21st Century walked in the ANZAC’s footsteps and climbed to the mountain top.
Once we reached the apex of the hill at Lone Pine, I looked out upon the Cove and reflected on the adventure that these soldiers had embarked on.
Back at the Westpac Centre, it has been clear that there is a distinct difference between what we do during pre-season training compared to what happens during the premiership season. Our training is more intense, the volume has decreased and the focus is directed at skill execution and how we want to move the ball both offensively and defensively.
I have been doing full training for about four or five weeks since I graduated from the rehab group. I’m not oblivious to the fact that I need to continually work on building ‘my engine’ (aerobic fitness).
I am aiming to make my VFL debut this weekend against Essendon. On the weekend I watched the VFL team beat Geelong and did some stats with Lachlan Keeffe where I focused on our inside 50s. I enjoyed watching the boys get the win and I can’t wait to get out there with them this week.
CYA NEXT TIME! :D
Watch Brodie play his first game in Collingwood colours at Victoria Park this Saturday when the Magpies take on Essendon at Victoria Park. The game will begin at 1pm.
Read Grundy's first diary entry here.
