It was this time last year Brodie Grundy played his final game for Collingwood after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the club’s Anzac Day win over Essendon.
Twelve months later and the dual All-Australian ruckman admitted he’s been reflecting on that final outing in black and white and his trade to Melbourne amid an “amazing” journey of “ups and downs.”
Seeing the smile on Grundy’s face after Melbourne’s 18-point Anzac Day Eve win over Richmond as the Demons climbed into the top two and it’s clear that, as he put it, he’s “really enjoying himself”.
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“It is pretty funny, I was reflecting on that this week actually,” Grundy told foxfooty.com.au post-match in recapping his last match as a Magpie and his transition to the Demons.
“It’s been an amazing 12 months of ups and downs. But that’s life and I’ve enjoyed it and I’ve tried to be as level headed as I can.
“Even being out of the Pies side for most of last year was interesting in itself. Then obviously getting traded and coming to Melbourne, I’m really enjoying it.
“Seeing a young guy like Jacob Van Rooyen get his chance and develop is something I’m really enjoying in coming across to Melbourne.
“Judd McVee and Jake Bowey as well. I didn’t know much about these guys when I came across. They’re gun players only in their first, second and third years.
“It’s an exciting time for the club and I’m looking forward to being around and trying to get some success here.”
Although Van Rooyen stole the show on Monday night with his epic three-goal burst in the fourth quarter to help drag the Demons over the line, Grundy’s impact was also enormous after taking over the bulk of the ruck duties from returning skipper Max Gawn in the second half.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick labelled Grundy the “difference maker” and said he “dominated” the battle against Richmond’s inexperienced Samson Ryan-Ben Miller duo.
It prompted the Tigers to move Noah Balta into the ruck in a bid to combat Grundy, with Hardwick acknowledging his side was getting “comprehensively beaten” and that it “had to make a change,” which then left Richmond vulnerable down back.
And Grundy revealed it was Gawn who made the “selfless” call to shift roles.
“Max said in that later stage he’ll go down there (forward) and go to work. I thought that was really selfless of him,” Grundy said.
“It goes to show the sort of captain that he is. For a six-time All-Australian ruckman to tell me to do the bulk of the ruckwork was pretty cool.
“Max is a quality forward and can mark the ball so well.”
Grundy admitted he and Gawn are still working on how to best play together, conceding “it’s not going to be without its challenges at times” given they both want to be predominantly around the ball.
“It’s something we’re feeling out week by week. We just go off feel and whoever is running hot, we let it go with the flow … we’re pretty fluid with it,” the 183-gamer said.
“We’re getting to that point now of our careers where we want to just do whatever is best for the team.”
While Grundy played in eight Anzac Day games for Collingwood, Monday night marked his first Anzac Day Eve appearance in the red and blue.
Melbourne Demons Press Conference | 06:53
Comparing the build up and overall stage of the two blockbuster games, the 29-year old said he “enjoyed” a different spectacle.
“It was really nice. Walking out with the lights off and the mobile phone lights on, it was a different feel, but it really set the stage,” Grundy said.
“It was a bit of a different feel before the game – a bit pensive and a bit reflective. But nonetheless it was good.
“It was indifferent (to playing on Anzac Day), it didn’t really affect me too much. Anzac Day is probably a bit more of a stage, but it was still awesome to play in front of 84,000 people.
“I haven’t played in front of that sort of size crowd for Melbourne yet, so it was really good the fans showed out. It was good fun.”
Asked if he’d be watching his old side play Essendon on Tuesday, Grundy said: “I keep a keen interest on how some of the boys are going – Darcy Moore as well and the Daicos boys.
“Trey Ruscoe I heard is playing tomorrow, I love that kid. He roomed with me when he came over (from Western Australia) after getting drafted.
“I wish those boys all the best.”
