Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy spoke to Fox Sports shortly after receiving notice that he is the AFL Rising Star nominee for round 22.

The 19-year-old was typically humble when asked to reflect on his achievements in his five senior games.

“I don’t think I’ve made a big impact,” the self-effacing South Australian said, paying tribute to those around the club and in the team who have made his development easier.

Grundy was asked whether or not he and one of the senior ruckmen Darren Jolly and Ben Hudson can fit into the same side in September.

Although coach Nathan Buckley has publicly anointed Grundy as the team’s first choice ruckman at present, Grundy himself baulked at making any grand statements.

“That comes down to Bucks. It’s probably not up to me to comment,” he smiled.

“It’s definitely very exciting and a little bit daunting too at the same time,” he said of the prospect of playing in the finals.

“It would be good to play alongside ‘Jolls’.”

Jolly and Hudson are continuing to play excellent football in the VFL and Grundy paid tribute to the culture that they have helped establish in which he and other youngsters can develop.

Away from footy, Grundy described himself as “a pretty relaxed type of fellow. I try to go about my thing like an average bloke.”
In time, Grundy would like to become a physio, which is what he will be studying in 2014.

But for now, his focus is purely on living in the moment and enjoying the whirlwind beginning to his senior career.

“Things change quickly in this environment so I’m trying to enjoy it while I’m there.”

Brodie Grundy
Born: 15 April 1994
Height: 202cm
Weight: 101kg
Recruited From: Unley/Sturt
Drafted: Selection No. 18 2012
Games: 5
Goals: 1
Disposals: 69 (averaging 13.8 per game)
Marks: 14 (averaging 2.8 per game)
Tackles: 15 (averaging 3.0 per game)
Hitouts: 103 (averaging 20.6 per game)