Brodie Grundy – Deck of DT 2024

Click here for 2024 Fantasy Classic prices.

Why should I pick him?

Order has been restored for our Ruck Pig.

After a year from hell at the Demons, Grundy is no longer sitting behind Max Gawn in the ruck pecking order (or in the VFL) as he’ll be back into a No.1 role at his new club, the Swans.

We all know how good he is. A quick history lesson: Averaged 91 in his third year, took that to 101 and 106 before back-to-back seasons averaging 120-plus in 2018-2019. Covid year was still pretty decent (114 average) before a drop off to 106 and then an injury interrupted 2022 at 93. His massive deal at the Pies saw them cut ties and the Dees were happy to pick it up. Grundy played 17 games to average just 75 … which included some pretty low scores such as his final game in R22 which returned just 36 points from 55% TOG.

We can put that all in the past as Grundy is walking into the Swans who have seen Hickey off and are unlikely to play Ladhams with BG. The chop out will come from Hayden McLean, but judging by the past, he’s likely to get getting less than 20% of the ruck contests.

Age wise, Grundy is in his prime as a ruck. He turns 30 in May and while we saw his number start dropping from his ‘ruck pig days’, there’s really nothing to suggest he’s not going to be in that mid-90s range … with potential go hit triple-figures again. 90 is floor IMO … which is 15 points upside, but I would be very surpised if it isn’t 20 at a minimum. This represents value.

I’m all in as the big fella has a point to prove, has every opportunity to being doing it all on his own terms and is in the hitting zone up there with a ground that can help him be that extra midfielder that he was a few years ago. I won’t overthink this one.

Why shouldn’t I pick him?

I don’t think too many will disagree with the value. Could you argue that he’s going under 90 and that may not be quite enough … which could then mean he’s a long way off being a keeper? It’d be a hot take, but I won’t really entertain it.

The biggest issue is the bye. Swans play opening round and therefore have an early bye (Round 5). This presents a couple of issues. Grundy is an under-priced premium in your squad. Four price changes and he’s almost done his job … but do you want to sign up for a forced trade that week? Especially when we’re probably cutting some rookies about then? Does the hold bring into play a rookie into your Best 18 and coming up against others with an extra ‘better’ player hurt? If you’ve got other Swans that you think are more important/value, it is tricky … as is if you’re a Nick Daicos believer who has the bye that round (Pies/Swans are the R5 bye teams).

If you’re in love with the Tristan Xerri pick, who is cheaper, then it might be a big call to grab Grundy as well as most will probably think that you’ll eventually be moving both of these guys on at some point. Even if Grundy hits that 100 average, he’s possibly not a keeper as he’s potentially 15+ points behind English. That gap can be significant, therefore picking one big dog ruck might feel better for some.

Deck of DT Rating.

KING

You have to go back to 2014 to find the last time Grundy averaged less than 91 points in a season. This year we are getting him priced at 75, so essentially 16 points behind his lowest season in the last decade (excluding the Gawn year) and 25 points behind his career average. Wowee. An absolute lock for me and despite that early bye, I think the points scored and the cash generated in those first four weeks will make up for the R5 hold or the sideways trade we might consider if the planets align. The old set-and-forget is back! Potential keeper for the year … or at least a low priority trade.

I’ll be targetting Grundy as the 4th or 5th ruck off the board. English/Marshall are likely to be first rounders. Gawn will be next, so as soon as he goes, I would be setting my sights on BG. Personally, I have him ahead of Nank, but I’m sure plenty of drafts will see the Richmond skipper go before due to his 100+ average last season. I’ll be quite happy getting Grundy in the third round if he lasts until then!

Warnie

Co-captain of DT Talk since we started this thing in 2007. Best finish was 13th in 2009... that was a long time ago. Follow on Twitter: @WarnieDT