Brodie Grundy in startling contract development amid 'tight' Sydney Swans drama
The ruckman joined the Swans from Collingwood at the end of last season.
The Sydney Swans could be under more AFL salary cap pressure than thought after it was reported Brodie Grundy could be earning upwards of $1 million a season. Grundy joined the Swans from Collingwood at the end of last year and was thought to be on around $900,000 a season.
Grundy is at his third AFL club in as many years and is being partly paid by both the Swans and Collingwood. However, reporter Sam Landsberger reported he could be on more than what AFL fans originally estimated.
Grundy is on a deal through to 2027 and Landsberger said the 29-yer-old ruckman could be earning above the $1 million mark as a result of the Swans' boosted deal. “A lot of people think he’s on about $900,000 (per season), he has been throughout the duration of this seven-year contract,” Landsberger said on Fox Footy's Midweek Tackle.
“It’s actually a little bit more. He’s definitely a million-dollar player, Brodie Grundy. I think it might be just over $1,000,000 this year. A lot of people thought that Sydney would be paying about $600,000 — that was what Melbourne was paying last year — it’s more than that."
When asked what the breakdown was of his contract, Landsberger claimed the Swans were paying more than $700,000 a season, which is well above what some thought Sydney signed him for in 2024. “Collingwood is still chipping in about $300,000, so they’re paying him to play against them on Friday night,” he said.
“You add that 700-750 to Collingwood’s 300 (and) he’s on over a million dollars this year, you can take that to the bank. And Melbourne, (he’s) totally off their books there, they’re not paying a penny.”
Sydney Swans could face salary cap pressure
Grundy's salary could cause problems for the Swans down the road if they are looking to lock down some players. The Herald Sun reporter Jay Clarke said it could be a 'tight' squeeze to fit Taylor Adams, Logan McDonald and re-sign Errol Gulden on a boosted contract.
Reporter Scott Gullan said there could be some tough decision for the Swans' coaching staff going forward if they want to keep a number of talented young players. "So, since last year (they brought in) Adams and Grundy, so if they’re squeezed, what do they do?
"Logan McDonald’s an interesting one, the kid’s in his fourth year, he’s 21, he’s obviously a talent, but has he shown enough to be paid a million bucks? Am I handing over a million-plus to him just so he doesn’t go back to WA? I’m not.”
The Swans will play Collingwood in Melbourne on Friday night with Sydney upsetting Melbourne in round one. Collingwood will be looking to bounce back from their first round defeat to Greater Western Sydney.
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