Former Collingwood assistant coach Brenton Sanderson believes the team will be stronger in 2023 despite the loss of Brodie Grundy.
The two-time All-Australian and Copeland Trophy winner has today joined Melbourne in exchange for pick 27.
Sanderson is a big Grundy fan and admits the move to play alongside Demons captain Max Gawn is a “fascinating watch”, admitting it has been a trade tricky to fully decipher.
“This has been the one trade that I can’t quite wrap my head around about what Brodie Grundy’s value is, obviously because of the huge contract,” Sanderson said on SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“I just really rate him. I know we haven’t seen the best of him in the last 18 months, but I think he changed the position (of ruck).
“Obviously he’s a ruckman, paramount number one, but he’s like another midfielder. When he’s in great form, yes, he wins hit-outs, but he just gets around the ground, he’s great at ground level, he’s such a competitor.
“When he’s at the peak of his fitness, he’s really hard to stop. If he gets back to that sort of form, I think he’s worth a lot more than that pick.
“I’m fascinated to see how Melbourne are going to use him and Max Gawn. Obviously they know something that we don’t in how they’re going to structure up in 2023.
“We know they are two elite ruckmen when they’re both in their prime. It really is a fascinating watch to see how this unfolds.”
The ex-Geelong defender and former Adelaide coach says even though Grundy is out the door, that loss of quality personnel could be offset by the additions of Dan McStay from Brisbane, Bobby Hill from GWS, Billy Frampton from the Crows and quite possibly Tom Mitchell from Hawthorn.
The Magpies were narrowly beaten in the Preliminary Final by Sydney after a remarkable run throughout the season but Craig McRae’s has the potential to get even better in 2023.
“It’s interesting with Collingwood. They’ve made some moves in the off-season,” he added.
“They’re going to bring in McStay, now Frampton, Bobby Hill, there’s still talk around Tom Mitchell, whether he’s the right fit.
“To bring in four players and to potentially lose Ollie Henry, it’s interesting.
“I know a lot of Collingwood fans feel McStay wasn’t really that type of player that they needed. I really liked McStay’s finals series, I think he’s going to help Collingwood, another mobile key forward.
“I think Collingwood gets stronger again next year. I know time could be slightly running out when you look at the age profile of some of their stars, but I think Collingwood should be right in the mix again next year.”