“Probably the first thing that you look for in any form of ruck,is the relationship that they have and the connection they have with their midfield,and Brodie,ever since he came has built a really strong connection with them,” Cox said.
“It’s not only about where they go or what they do,but it’s about his predictability and strength within the contest to get to the ball to specific areas is really strong.
“Rucking against Brodie,I always knew that he’s going to be an elite ruckman,and he was for a long period of time and it was just about him getting back to doing what he does best,which is connecting with midfielders and following up and having a real presence around the scramble.”
Former Swans star and Premiership winner Mike Pyke has been impressed by Brodie Grundy this yearCredit:Anthony Johnson
Grundy’s statistics only tell part of the story of a brilliant season. He is fifth in the league in hitouts,but perhaps most notably,it is his position as second-highest tackler at the Swans behind midfielder James Rowbottom that provides an insight into his drive to contribute to the team far beyond his expected parameters as a ruckman. He is averaging a career-high average of 5.7 tackles per game,ahead of his next highest of 5.2 tackles in six years for Collingwood.
Given his increasing importance in supplying the likes of Heeney,Warner and Gulden with possession and with 10 rounds of football to play before playing in a potential finals’ series,the question remains can the Swans adequately function without Grundy? Cox believes they can,pointing to the work Grundy has done in passing on his experience to teammates.
“Obviously,he (Grundy) is having a great season,but we need to make sure that if one player is out,someone can come and replace them,” Cox said.
“The good part is Pete (Ladhams) is there,Lachie McAndrew played a few games last year,and then you’ve got young Will Green,who’s just a sponge and learning and enjoying being on an AFL list for his first year.
“Obviously we’ve been relying on Brodie so heavily so far this year,but that doesn’t say that if something does happen,you know,Peter Ladhams has played a lot of senior football now and really good football for this footy club,so if that was to happen (Grundy getting injured),we have someone there that can help fill the void as well.”
On Saturday,the Swans will travel to Grundy’s home state of South Australia for a meeting with the Adelaide Crows,who will be determined to snap Sydney’s eight-match winning streak and confidence as they head into the business end of the season as premiership chances are whispered increasingly louder.
As a Swans premiership player,Pyke believes that despite his significant influence and talent on the team,Grundy is only one piece of a complex puzzle that could finally get solved for Sydney in the last Saturday in September at the MCG.
“I mean,to be clear,it’s 22 players,and it’s actually beyond the 22 players on game day,it’s your entire list and it’s your support staff,it’s everyone,” Pyke said.
“I wouldn’t single out Brodie as the main factor as to what will determine whether we’ll get the job done this year (and win the premiership),there’s a long way to go.
“We need to make finals first,but certainly,the formula in the midfield at the moment is
looking like a pretty healthy tonic.”