Brodie Grundy - Selection No. 18
Position: Ruckman
Height: 202 cm
Weight: 100 kg
DOB: 15/04/94
Club: Sturt/Cabra

Watch Grundy's highlights reel on CTV in the video above.

Bio: Ruckman who imposes himself on games with his physical presence. Excels in directing the ball at stoppages and can be a dangerous marking target up forward. Won All Australian Under 18 honours in 2011 and has played senior football with Sturt. Backed it up this year becoming a dual All Australian, averaging 15 disposals and 24.2 hit outs in 2012. Graduate of the AIS-AFL Academy.

Upside: Grundy switched from basketball to football shortly before the national under-16 carnival and has shown enormous improvement in a relatively short period of time. He has a strong work ethic and all indications are that he will continue that rapid rate of improvement. He's quite physically advanced for a big guy his age and he's not afraid to throw that big frame about. He was the dominant ruckman at the under-18 carnival and impressed with his willingness to stay in the contest once the ball hits the deck at a stoppage. Grundy's mobility is also seen as one of his greatest assets. He's dangerous inside forward 50, but is also very adept below his knees and has neat finishing skills.

NAB AFL Combine Results:
Matthew Lloyd Clean Hands Test: Ranked equal 5th (27/30)

X-factor: “His ability in the art of ruck work is exceptional for a young player. This allows him to influence the contest so often in games.”

In his own words: "I'm pretty aggressive, I thrive on the contest, and provide good second and third efforts after the hit-out. I'd say that I'm pretty honest and try to give 100 per cent all the time. I don't really liken myself to any AFL player, but I like the way Dean Cox goes about it and Nic Naitanui as well. If I can be half the player Dean Cox is I'll be happy with that."

Derek Hine says: (AFL Talent Manager) Kevin Sheehan said it right the other day, his form over the last two years has been outstanding and he has been exposed to senior football.

What they say:
Inside Football magazine
"A lad who has improved enormously in the past two or three years after coming from a basketball background. Played eight senior games for us this year and is just a big, strong ruckman who boasts a fantastic work ethic and a real appetite to learn about the game. Loves the weights so he's going to develop into a big boy in time and coming from basketball he's got a great ability to jump and get first hand to the footy in the ruck. Still has a lot to learn in terms of movement around the ground and positioning but he's come a long way in a short period of time. He played state footy and made the All-Australian side two years running and was the dominant ruckman at the carnoval" - Paul Sandercock, Sturt Football Manager, as compiled by Brett Anderson and Ben Casanelia.

Emma Quayle (The Age's draft expert)
"I'm worried I have Grundy a bit low (Quayle ranked Grundy at No. 10 in her draft order). He's the best ruckman around, by a long way, and has qualities you can't teach: an aggressive attitude and a want to always compete. Off the ground he's a smart, left field thinker who likes to ponder life's many mysteries. On it, he plays like a big guy: he's imposing, he directs play from the ruck and he throws himself around" - The Sunday Age, Sunday 18 November 2012.

Mark Stevens (Herald Sun journalist)
"He is independent, intelligent (posting an Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank score of 92 and studying human movement) and is willing to speak his mind. Grundy played 10 years of basketball before taking up football seriously in the under-16s and could not be more content with the switch" - Herald Sun, Friday 16 November 2012.

Jay Clark and Sam Landsberger (Herald Sun journalists)
"Combative ruckman (who) is physically ready to go. Has a basketball background and takes strong marks forward" - Herald Sun, Friday 16 November 2012

Snoop Dog (respected draft watcher on BigFooty.com)
"I think he is probably the best out and out ruck prospect I have seen come through for some time. Super aggressive and has absolutely dominated the National Champs for the last 2 years and has showed seriously centre square work as well as being able to head down forward and hurt the scoreboard. He is very good below his knees and his ball skill is right up there. Comparisons with Cox often thrown around a bit easily but not with this fella."

Knightmare (respected draft watcher on BigFooty.com)
"Ruckman who has shown serious improvement over the past two years. Comes from a basketball background. Very athletic and has a huge leap, is already a high level tap ruckman who still can improve further in this area of his game. Consistently hits it to advantage and knows who’s at his feet. Strong mark overhead and can mark at the highest point but can miss some easier marks at times as well so in that regard needs to develop more consistency in his marking game. Also this year is starting to take some contested marks when he goes forward which is promising and has really improved his play forward of centre. Has a huge work rate. Another unique feature with Grundy is his ability at ground level and below the knees is very clean with his pickups. Skill level above average for a ruckman and has a nice long kick but still could develop more consistency. Can close out games strongly when the game is on the line and has that extra gear which I view as a real selling point and an aspect of his game that he can continue at the next level."