Brodie Grundy’s manager has revealed that the prospect of a pay cut was “never” discussed following the big man’s move from Collingwood to Melbourne.
Grundy signed a seven-year extension with the Magpies at the end of 2019 and said that it had been his “dream” to end his career with the club, but was traded to the Demons in exchange for pick 27 on Tuesday.
Collingwood was adamant on getting Grundy’s $1 million per year salary off its books, with list boss Graham Wright not keen on having a large amount of the team’s cap tied up in the ruck department.
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The 28-year-old big man’s manager Robbie D’Orazio said the prospect of a pay cut was “never something that was discussed”, and revealed how Grundy had been saddened by the move.
“It’s not like yesterday we were jumping for joy … while Brodie is really excited … there was a little bit of sadness to start with to be honest,” D’Orazio told AFL Trade Radio.
“He took it with open eyes and open ears, Brodie in the end had three rucks around him at Collingwood and he had the big salary, he was able to realise that he could be the one to move to Melbourne to clear that room at Collingwood.”
Grundy is set to team up with Melbourne captain Max Gawn to form one of the most formidable ruck duos in league history.
One of Gawn and Grundy has been named to the All-Australian team in six out of the last seven seasons.
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