A Unique Recruitment Strategy
Sydney coach Dean Cox has shared an unusual story about how he managed to bring Brodie Grundy to the Swans. According to Cox, his eagerness to recruit the star ruckman was so intense that he even left a training session mid-way to have a conversation with Grundy.
Grundy is set to play his 250th game in Sunday’s AFL match against Melbourne at the SCG. This upcoming game promises to be a thrilling encounter as Grundy will face off against Max Gawn, an eight-time All-Australian ruckman. The two were once teammates, but their partnership at Melbourne did not yield the expected results. As a result, Grundy was moved to Sydney at the end of 2023.
At the time, Cox was still an assistant coach at Sydney and played a crucial role in convincing Grundy to join the team. He described the moment he decided to leave the training track to speak with Grundy. “I walked off the training track and answered the phone call… middle of a training session. That’s how excited I was,” Cox said.
He added that he had tried to contact Grundy before the session, but it was during the session that Grundy called back. Cox received approval to step away from the track for a conversation.
Grundy’s Performance and Impact
Grundy has been performing exceptionally well this season, averaging 19.6 disposals, 35 hitouts, and 5.4 clearances. His strong form has contributed to Sydney’s impressive 6-1 start to the year.
The 32-year-old recalled a memorable beer he had with Cox over the Christmas break more than a decade ago. At the time, Grundy was a young and emerging ruckman with Collingwood, and he immediately made an impression on Cox.
“I remember playing on him when he first came to the scene for Collingwood,” Cox said. “We had the same manager, so that sort of worked out to spend some time together over the Christmas break (when we had the beer together).”
Cox praised Grundy’s dedication and desire to improve. “The thing I love about Brodie is he’s really inquisitive. He wants to work on his game and be the best player he can be.”
On Sunday night, Cox hopes to celebrate with another beer with Grundy.
Melbourne’s Strong Start and Key Returns
Melbourne has had an unexpected strong start to the season, with Max Gawn’s outstanding performance helping the rebuilding Demons achieve a 5-2 record. The team is also set to welcome back Harrison Petty after he recovered from a suspected vestibular migraine that caused dizziness during a previous match against Brisbane.
Meanwhile, Sydney has benefited from the return of star midfielder Isaac Heeney, who has been recovering from a calf injury. This boost has further strengthened the team’s position in the league.
