Sydney Swans ruckman Brodie Grundy has disclosed the light-hearted exchange he had with Collingwood coach Craig McRae during the final quarter of Friday night's gripping AFL encounter at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Grundy delivered one of the finest performances of his career, amassing an extraordinary 34 disposals, 47 hit-outs, 12 clearances, and a goal against one of his former clubs. Early in the fourth quarter, Grundy and McRae engaged in a brief conversation near the boundary line.
McRae had retrieved the ball to return to the boundary umpire and exchanged a few words with Grundy, who had been pursuing the loose ball. The coach's comment brought a slight smile to Grundy's face.
“He just said, ‘G’day old mate’ ... it was nothing untoward, the spirit of it ... he just bobbed up right then and there, it was good,” Grundy told Channel 7 after the match.
The pair spent a single season together at Collingwood in 2022, which marked McRae's first year at the helm and Grundy's last with the club. The ruckman managed only six games before a season-ending injury sidelined him prematurely.
He was subsequently traded to Melbourne for one season before landing at Sydney, where he has rediscovered his top form. Against Collingwood on Friday night, Grundy delivered arguably his finest performance in a Swans jumper, earning the Goodes-O'Loughlin Medal as best on ground.
“Yeah it was great, I thought the boys hung in there ... I was so proud,” he said. “I said at three-quarter time, ‘don’t expect Collingwood to go away, I know the character and the spirit they play with.’
“They really tested us, I thought it was a great contest, particularly given the celebration that is Marn Grook. I thought the fans would have been in for a treat.”
Grundy was quick to credit his teammates after receiving the best-on-ground medal. “I’m sort of speechless because there are so many players that could have got this award tonight. There are so many stars in this team, I thought Isaac (Heeney) was enormous tonight.
“I could continue to name names but a lot of the times the mids get on the end of my work and make me look good.”
