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 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, and their partnership was expected to be a highlight for the Demons.
However, the Grundy-Gawn combination did not live up to expectations, leading to Grundy’s move to Sydney at the end of 2023. 
Cox, who was an assistant coach at Sydney during that time, played a crucial role in convincing Grundy to join the Swans. He recounted how he had to leave a training session to take a call from 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. “I tried to ring him before the session, and it was during the session (he called back), and I got the approval to walk off the track and have a conversation.”
Grundy has been performing exceptionally well this season, averaging 19.6 disposals, 35 hitouts, and 5.4 clearances. His form has contributed to Sydney’s strong start, with a record of 6-1.
The 32-year-old also shared a memory of a beer he had with Cox over the Christmas break more than a decade ago. At the time, Grundy was a young ruckman with Collingwood, and he made a strong 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).”
“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 I get the chance to hopefully celebrate and have another beer with him.”
Meanwhile, Melbourne has had an unexpected strong start to the season, with Gawn’s impressive performance helping the team achieve a 5-2 record. They are also set to welcome back Harrison Petty after recovering from a suspected vestibular migraine.
Sydney has also received a boost with the return of star midfielder Isaac Heeney, who has recovered from a calf injury.
