Buckley and Grundy - is there an issue?

[derkd]

I found it odd that post the Dogs game, Bucks took a swipe at Grundy's game despite most in the football world saying he was by far and a way best on ground.

In the last few weeks I have been keeping an eye on Grundy's body language during the game and a few things have stood out to me to suggest he does not look happy.

One might say I am reading to much into the situation...after all who would be happy playing in a side who's form is falling apart week by week.

But little things like last night where Grundy just lay on the ground as a Hawthorn player strolled into about 40 out and kicked a goal. Very un-like Grundy and the manic pressure.

A big call here, has he asked for a trade at seasons end?

[Mr Miyagi]

Something's up, I'm convinced of it. But I don't think it's a falling out with Bucks issue.

Since Gawn toweled up Grundy he hasn't been quite as dominant. We can't expect him to be every single quarter for every single game. Re: the dogs game, Grundy wasn't best on ground, he was very very average in the first half, and it took a spray from the coach at half time to fire him up for the second half where he was back to his best and was instrumental in our win.

Since then Goldstein toweled him up, and McEvoy taught him a lesson again last night.

And our mids are letting him down, allowing themselves to be pushed out of position. There was a moment in the final quarter last night where Pendles managed to break his tag, swallow Grundy's tap and run forward. It was beautiful to watch. We're ranked down the bottom for centre clearances, and that's not on Grundy -- that's squarely on our mids.

[SteveH67]

We lose Grundy post season, and we are heading for a fall back down the ladder.

[Pies4shaw]

Gawn didn’t “towel up” Grundy. He nearly broke even with him, except that Grundy flogged Gawn at all the critical moments. Grundy is carrying an injury, obviously - and has just played his 3rd game in 12 days. He might be staying, he might be going but the problem isn’t attitude. He’s struggling physically, like most of our blokes. In his case, because he’s our best player of the last 60 years, it’s a bit more obvious when he drops off - unlike most of our team, he’s got a long way he can drop.

[ANNODAM]

He's probably thinking of heading back to ADL after seasons end & who could blame him?

[shawthing]

I hate to say it but something's up. I don't think Grundy has made his mind up to return to Adelaide yet at all, but I put a lot of the team's drop off in form (including Grundy's) down to the return of Buckley-control-freak-syndrome. Just look at Buck's body language. Last year he was free as a bird and the players played in the same spirit. This year controlling Bucks has returned and we are playing like we did in 2012-17.

[Dave The Man]

[RudeBoy]

I hope I’m wrong, but I tend to agree with the opening post. His demeanour seems a bit down. The club simply can’t afford to lose Grundy.

[Pies4shaw]

[think positive]

[DT]

Grundy is carrying a few injuries and is struggling

[What'sinaname]

TBH....I think most of us were surprised with Buck's comments at the time...and the votes in the votes thread probably show that's the case.

If it came to Bucks or Grundy, I pick Grundy.....easily.

[slangman]

If anyone should be getting a public rocket from Buckley, I’d think the big Texan would be more worthy than Grundy.

[BazBoy]

Is it that Grundy is tired or injured and tired

Did Brody feel he is busting his arse with above issues and felt he was undervalued by the comment Nathan made

I am pretty sure Brody is more resilient than that in his mind

What would concern if Brody,s popularity with other players would be felt as unfounded criticism by them

[Pies4shaw]

Well, if there is an issue, it ain't with Thor.

After a mere 15 games, Grundy has just moved into fourth place (behind Grundy, Grundy and Jolly) in Collingwood's highest-ever hitout tallies per season.

Next week, he will be outright in third, chasing himself.

Moreover, he is averaging almost 42 hitouts per game https://afltables.com/afl/stats/teams/collingwood/playershi.html#S06

Of course, if it weren't for the fact that Grundy holds 17 of the top 20 "most hit-outs in a game" spots for Collingwood, his 2019 average would be higher than many of the games in Collingwood's top 20 hitout games. 6 of his 17 highest hitout games have come in 2019, including his two highest tallies ever. He is the only Collingwood player ever to have 50 hitouts in a game. He has done that 6 times in his career, including three times, so far, in 2019.

His kicks are up, his disposals are up, his marks are up, his clearances are up, his contested possessions are up and his contested marks are up - all to the highest averages in his career, so far.