In his latest diary entry, Grundy provides collingwoodfc.com.au readers with a unique insight into his debut against Greater Western Sydney and the contrasting emotions that were involved in one of the most momentous occasions in his young life.
Click here to read Brodie's last diary entry.
I took a flight home over the mid-season break, determined to return a more positive and ambitious footballer. I vowed to be in the senior selection mix when I got back.
Over the break, I thought of the opportunities that lie ahead and the different paths my football season could go. As Harry O once told me, "you create your own reality". At first this didn't mean much to me, but now it resonates strongly with me.
Having low confidence at the start of the year, missing the pre-season and not being a part of the team, I wallowed in a place where I questioned my worth and ability.
After returning home from Adelaide, I decided to change my frame of mind. I filled my room with positive affirmations and stuck some in my locker, too, reminding me of what others had seen in me to call out my name in last year’s draft, reminding me of which path I wanted to follow. All of these things came together, crystallized, if you like, in the target of playing against Greater Western Sydney in round 18. This was my immediate destination.
The journey began in the altitude room on a Monday morning where I found myself doing extra sessions two to three times a week to improve my fitness. I was also doing extra touch and taking more care in opposition analysis. I was able to run out games stronger and have more of an influence for longer in games. This was evident in my performances against Box Hill and Geelong's VFL team.
Before I knew it, Bucks called me into his office on the Thursday before the GWS game to tell me that I would be playing my first game that week.
Obviously the first thing you want to do is make an impression when you get into a new environment, especially here at Collingwood.
I had wanted to show my worth immediately but was hindered by my back injury. I had set myself back then to play four games in my first year, as rooming with Darren Jolly in Utah I had got to know that he had played that amount in his first year (while playing for Melbourne).
My debut against the Giants was the first time I had run through a banner, or run alongside Pendles and Swanny on the MCG. It was a surreal experience – I couldn't get the smile off my face. However, smiles were scarce in the change rooms at half time. To be honest I did not expect to be down at the main change, nor did anyone else.
The third quarter started with a bang as we scored three straight goals out of the centre. Adrenaline surged through my veins as the roar of the Collingwood faithful echoed chants throughout the ‘G, which spurred the team on to tackle harder, chase quicker and jump higher.
After the game a sense of satisfaction covered me, quite like the Powerade in the winners circle. But nothing could beat the satisfaction I felt when I saw my family and friends in the change room after the game. Particularly my Nan, who had been in hospital the week prior, and my Pa, who said he "can now die a happy man". He even wore his father’s cufflinks (his father was a Collingwood man), saying he wanted to bring his dad along to the game too.
The cheer of the crowd was nothing compared to a week later.
Rucking against Patrick Ryder and Tom Bellchambers was a weird feeling, as I had looked up to them in their style of play. ‘Nek minute’ I was starting in the centre in front of 70,000 about to go to war against them.
Even now I often think how quickly your dimensions can change, especially in the footy world. It wasn't that long ago I was watching Dustin Fletcher play his 350th game and I found myself one-on-one deep with him in the four quarter on Sunday.
By the way, I’m up to Season Nine in Friends. I can’t believe Ross and Rachel have had a baby, who would have guessed it?
