AN_Inkling wrote:Seems certain that Grundy will be moved. Goodwin openly talking about Melbourne's interest now.
The reason is simple and was anticipated a long way out. We're playing a Richmond style game and rucks just aren't prioritised, so it doesn't make sense for a ruckman to be our highest paid player. Different football philosophy from the new regime.
At this point the saved money looks to be getting us McStay, plus whatever we get back from Melbourne.
A key forward that can compete in the air is definitely a need. Two KPFs of the "workhorse" variety in Mihocek and McStay isn't ideal but it's better than a sole KPF. You also get more reliability from these types, they will always compete hard. If we then have more skilled players around them like Elliott, AJ, Hill, Ginnivan, Henry, then that's actually a great mix.
There's simply no way for us to bring in a top line KPF this year. I think we might look for one next year, or via the draft, in which case McStay is a stop gap until we can develop one.
All this speculation about Grundy possibly leaving or not would not be happening if he was performing to his 2017-2019 standard.
Yes in hindsight the club agreed to the ludicrous contract (length more than pa $$) but quite a lot this situation is also on Grundys shoulders.
Covid or not, his own personal performances have not been anywhere near the level to which the club agreed to in good faith. Contracts are signed with expectations from both parties and to suggest that this all lies with Collingwood is ridiculous. Brodie must himself acknowledge that for 2.5 years he was not fulfilling his end of the bargain. You get paid big $$ to perform to your maximum ability for the majority of the season and the fact that he hasn’t rests all on him.
There are many player all over the league who have played brilliantly during covid but I’m sure that they also didn’t love living in the bubble. I haven’t heard one player or administrator mention that they enjoyed the experience. But many still performed to their best. Josh Daicos improved significantly during that time and I’m sure that he wasn’t a fan of being in the bubble.
Some here have questioned why he would even consider a pay cut to stay when he has a contract. That’s a fair point but ultimately you can only take the p*ss for so long before you get moved on, contract or no contract.
It’s not like the club are desperate to get his contract off the books whilst he is AA and winning the Copeland. They are doing it because they realise that they are not getting anywhere near the value for money that was agreed upon 3 years ago.