Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy has revealed what Collingwood coach Craig McCrae said to him during the last quarter of Friday night’s thriller at the SCG.
Grundy enjoyed one of the best games of his career, racking up an absurd 34 possessions to go with 47 hitouts, 12 clearances and a goal against one of his former sides.
Early on in the fourth quarter, Grundy and McRae were involved in an interesting exchange near the boundary line.
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McRae had collected the ball to give back to the boundary umpire and had a few words with Grundy, who had been chasing the loose ball.
The coach had a few words to Grundy, who had a little smile on his face at the time.
“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 one season together at Collingwood in 2022, which was McRae’s first at the club and Grundy’s last. The ruckman played just six games before injury ended his year early.
He was then traded to Melbourne for one season before finding his way to Sydney where he has recaptured his best form.
Against Collingwood on Friday night, he had arguably the best performance of his time at the Swans to win the Goodes-O’Loughlin Medal.
“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 pay tribute to his teammates after winning 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.”
