Brodie Grundy's touching message after brutal Collingwood trade

Brodie Grundy says he had hoped to be a 'Pie for life' in a heartfelt message to Collingwood fans after he was traded to Melbourne for pick 27 in the upcoming AFL draft.

The Magpies, who signed Grundy to a seven-year contract in 2020, will pay part of his salary for the five remaining years after deciding the ruckman would not be part of their plans moving forward.

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Grundy had an injury-impacted 2022 season and spent much of Collingwood's high-octane run to the preliminary finals watching from the sidelines.

In a move that left many AFL observers stunned, Collingwood informed their erstwhile ruckman that he would be traded, with Grundy selecting Melbourne as his preferred destination.

After 177 games, two club best and fairest wins and two All-Australian selections, Grundy penned a message to Collingwood fans thanking them for his support, and expressing his sadness that his hopes of being a one-club player had been extinguished.

“When I was drafted to the Collingwood Football Club in 2012, I felt proud to be a Collingwood player," Grundy said.

"When I signed my contract in 2020, my dream was to be a Pie for life,” Grundy wrote.

“My desire to remain at Collingwood did not change this year. However, after recent conversations with the club, this dream could no longer be a reality.

“Thank you to my teammates who have made my time at Collingwood so special. Over the 10 years, we’ve gone from teammates, to mates, to family.

“And thank you, to the Magpie Army for the unconditional love and support you’ve shown me over the past decade, it has made my time at Collingwood infinitely better."

The Demons were more than happy to take on part of Grundy's roughly $1 million a season contract in order to secure his services, where he will partner fellow All Australian ruck Max Gawn.

He looms as an ideal replacement for the outgoing Luke Jackson, who sought a move to Fremantle.

Collingwood pay tribute to Brodie Grundy after trade to Melbourne

The decision to trade Grundy left many AFL observers baffled, with Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph saying in breaking the news that he 'can't explain' why Collingwood settled on the move.

In a message from the club thanking Grundy for his services, football manager Graham Wright praised Grundy for his 'professionalism and support' for the club, but also said the Magpies were committed to making decisions in the best interest of the team.

“We have remained in open and honest discussions with Brodie for some time now around his future – he is a quality person and leaves our football program with everyone wishing him all the very best," he said.

“While decision-making relating to list management can be difficult, we have a duty to make decisions that best positions our club moving forward.”

Though Grundy was not thrilled to be traded, he said he was determined to make an impact at the Demons.

“Signing with Melbourne Football Club today, I am deeply committed to my new club. I’m looking forward to the contribution I can make to Melbourne and their fans in 2023 and beyond," he said.

“Time to dream a different dream and get to work ahead of the season.”

Collingwood's loss is 2021 premiers Melbourne's gain, with Demons list manager Tim Lamb delighted to have recruited Grundy.

“We are ecstatic to have secured the services of Brodie, it’s not often you can bring such a talented player into the club,” Lamb said.

“Brodie has had an outstanding career to date, and is a proven finals performer. We have seen from afar what he is capable of.”

AFL reporter Sam Edmund previously reported Grundy was not happy to be moved on, comparing his anger towards the club as being on a similar level to when midfielder Adam Treloar was moved on in 2020.

“If Adam Treloar was 10 out of 10 on the anger scale with his departure, this isn’t that far behind from my understanding,” Edmund said.

“Brodie Grundy has never been scared to speak his mind and I just wonder when it’s all said and done if he’ll express dissatisfaction with how it’s all played out.

“At the end of the day, he wanted to stay at Collingwood.

“I hope he’ll paint a picture for us when he does get to Melbourne on the other side.”

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