Hawthorn has refused to rule itself out of a Brodie Grundy pursuit as new information surfaces regarding a potential trade for the Collingwood ruckman.
7 News’ Mitch Cleary reported on Tuesday night that clubs have been told the Magpies are willing to pay up to $300,000 yearly of Grundy’s contract going forward.
Opposition clubs have been told the Pies would be willing to pay $300,000 per season of Brodie Grundy’s remaining five years should he leave https://t.co/Fxq8814Ikr
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) August 10, 2022
He’s believed to be on between $950,000 and $1 million per season.
Sportsday’s Sam McClure reported on Tuesday night Melbourne has gone hard on a pitch to entice Grundy to the club, while GWS has also met with his manager.
Speaking following the retirement announcement of Hawthorn big man Ben McEvoy, SEN’s Andy Maher raised the Hawks as an underdog to snare Grundy.
In Sam Mitchell’s first trade period as head coach in 2021, Hawthorn looked to stockpile draft capital by trading out numerous key players in a ploy that was ultimately unsuccessful.
However, they’re well placed for a trade period assault in October with plenty of reported salary cap space.
“There’s an obvious (trade target) now (for Hawthorn),” Maher said on SEN’s The Run Home.
“With Ben McEvoy retiring, there is an obvious target for Hawthorn. If they want to go big and make a splash now, I’m saying Brodie Grundy.
“Forget about him lining up alongside Max Gawn and splitting duties at Melbourne… when you think about the better fit, Brodie Grundy at Hawthorn makes a whole lot of sense.”
Maher also acknowledged emerging Hawks ruckman Ned Reeves has “come on in leaps and bounds” over the last season.
But with Grundy five years his senior at 28 years of age, the Collingwood ruckman could fill an immediate need at Waverley Park.
“In the meantime, if you can get Brodie Grundy right, what a magnificent man to lead the following brigade as Reeves develops,” he added.
“I would green light it the whole way if I was Hawthorn.”
Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves played a straight bat when asked about the possibility of recruiting Grundy, but refused to rule it out.
“That’s one for Mark McKenzie (list manager). I know that’s a cop out but the reality is there are so many variables in that,” Reeves said.
“He’s probably got plenty of footy left in him, I don’t know the figures of his contract but what we should say is you look at every opportunity that you think would make your football club better.”
McEvoy will retire at the end of the season, while Grundy won’t play again in 2022 after a stress fracture in his ankle.