In summary:
Evergreen backman Heath Grundy did in 2018 what he had done every season since making a permanent switch to defence in 2009.
Grundy and fellow defender Dane Rampe played shutdown roles on the opposition’s most potent key forwards, while Grundy’s ability to take intercept marks and move the footy cleanly by hand and foot again buoyed the Swans.
The competition is streaked with a long list of juggernaut forwards, including Jack Riewoldt, Josh Kennedy and Taylor Walker – and assistant coach Dean Cox says Grundy “took some good scalps throughout the season”.
Cox also brought to light the invaluable direction the 32-year-old’s experience offered Sydney’s youngsters in 2018.
The likes of Oliver Florent, Ben Ronke and Tom McCartin laced up the boots alongside Grundy this season, the Club’s third-most capped Swan behind Jarrad McVeigh (319) and Lance Franklin (290).
Grundy, a veteran of 255 games, signed a one-year contract extension late in the season to pave the way for a 15th campaign in red and white.
What the numbers say:
Games: 18
Kicks: 163
Handballs: 142
Disposals: 305
Marks: 114
Tackles: 19
Rebound 50s: 68
AFL Fantasy: 63.9 (average)
Best performance:
Round 6: Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats, GMHBA Stadium
Grundy played a pivotal role in Sydney’s unforgettable 17-point victory over Geelong at the Cattery in Round 6. He gathered 23 possessions, 12 marks, five rebound 50s and eight one-percenters. Grundy also disposed at 87 per cent efficiency and kept star Cats forward Tom Hawkins to just two goals.
Milestones:
Playing 250th game
Grundy became just the eighth player in Swans history to reach 250 AFL games as Sydney overcame West Coast at the SCG in Round 13. He made his senior debut as Sydney met Richmond at the SCG in Round 1, 2006.
Swans rookie record
Grundy broke a Swans record for most games played by a former rookie-listed player, surpassing Sydney great Brett Kirk (241) in a clash with Adelaide at the SCG in Round 5. Grundy sits eighth on the competition-wide leaderboard on 255, while Kieren Jack (248) and Kirk round out Sydney’s top three. Western Bulldogs champion Matthew Boyd leads the way on 292.
What they said:
Heath Grundy
“The game is always evolving and I think if you want to play for a long time in your career you’ve got to evolve with the game. You’ve got to continue to improve and continue to learn the game and if you don’t you can get a bit stale. You’ve got to find ways to get better and adjust to the way the game’s going.”
Assistant coach Dean Cox
“His ability to shut down the key forwards is first-class and then from there he’s a really good intercept marker as well. He can win the ball himself and try to give us some strong rebound from there. But for him it was about trying to shut his opponent down and he took some good scalps throughout the season.”
In pictures:
Heath Grundy and towering Crow Sam Jacobs contend for the footy at the SCG in Round 5.
Heath Grundy and sons Jameson and Reggie pose for a photo at the SCG ahead of his 250th match. Photo: Phil Hillyard.
Heath Grundy is chaired off the SCG after his 250th game by fellow defenders Nick Smith and Aliir Aliir.
And shrugging off two Giants at the SCG.
Stay tuned for more season reviews at sydneyswans.com.au over the coming weeks.
