Sydney recruit Brodie Grundy played a starring role in the first win over his former team, leading the Swans to a hard-fought 22-point victory over fellow flag hopefuls Melbourne in the season opener of the AFL.
Grundy was involved in an absorbing ruck battle with former teammate Max Gawn as Sydney racked up four consecutive goals early in the final period to seal a 12.14 (86) to 9.10 (64) win in front of 40,012 fans in a sold out stadium. held SCG on Thursday night.
However, it could all have gone horribly wrong for the ruckman, who suffered a freak injury that almost derailed his debut.
During a pre-match swim at Bondi Beach, Grundy was stung by a botfly jellyfish behind the ear.
She shared a photo on Instagram of her ear, which had turned bright red and swollen a lot.
Brodie Grundy has revealed he suffered a freak injury ahead of Thursday’s game.
Grundy returned to haunt his former club Melbourne on his debut for the Swans.
‘My closest circle saw that: it’s absolutely the worst pain I’ve ever felt. Don’t wish it on anyone,” he told Fox Footy after the game.
But he insists that he will continue swimming in the sea.
‘We will return to the well. “I will get up very early,” he added. “You can’t be deterred too much.”
Isaac Heeney stepped up in a Swans midfield without the injured Callum Mills, Luke Parker and Taylor Adams, tallying 26 disposals, 18 contested possessions, a goal and a career-best 13 clearances.
Chad Warner (26 touches, one goal), James Rowbottom (21 possessions), Errol Gulden (20) and Nick Blakey (26) were also busy, while Hayden McLean and Will Hayward scored two goals each.
Grundy, who left Melbourne for a third club during last year’s trade period, finished with 22 disposals, nine clearances and 31 hit-outs to edge out Gawn in their personal duel.
He used his body well in ruck contests to limit Gawn’s influence (15 disposals, two clearances, 39 hit-outs) and gradually broke down his opponent with the help of McLean.
‘His second half was huge. He kept going and kept moving forward,” Swans coach John Longmire said of Grundy.
‘His second and third attempts and his work on the football were enormous.
‘I feel very happy for him. He has already solved it and now he can adapt to his season and start doing it.”
Fellow former Demon James Jordan had 18 kills and seven tackles in his first appearance against his former team.
Grundy put a jellyfish sting behind him to help Sydney beat the Demons at the SCG.
The Swans were outscored in contested possession during the first half (80-61), but dominated that statistic after the main break (87-64) against Melbourne’s vaunted midfield.
They also won clearances 45-34 and Demons coach Simon Goodwin admitted his team had lowered their colors in an area that is usually a strength.
“When you lose (contested possession) by almost 30 points in the second half, you’re going to put every phase of your game under enormous pressure,” Goodwin said.
‘You have to give Sydney a lot of credit; They were outstanding in that phase of the game, especially after the break.
“You could see that was what made the game lean towards them.
“If you’re going to lose that amount against really good teams, they’re going to make you pay.”
Bayley Fritsch scored three goals in the third quarter to briefly give Melbourne the lead, and finished with four, before they faded late in the hot, slippery conditions.
Steven May was brilliant in defense but the Demons’ scoring problems at the other end, a focus during the summer, reared their ugly head again.
They managed just 2.8 of 29 attacking tackles in the first half and trailed by seven points at the main break.
He says the incident will not stop him from swimming at Bondi Beach again.
Jack Viney (31 disposals, seven clearances, two goals) and Christian Salem (27 touches) battled hard against the tide for Melbourne and Clayton Oliver (29 disposals, six clearances) did well in his first senior match after a turbulent off-season .
It was a bruising contest, with Dees defender Jake Bowey sidelined after injuring his right shoulder in a collision with Justin McInerney.
Sydney faces another big test when they take on premiership holders Collingwood in a Friday night blockbuster next week, while Melbourne have 10 days until their home game against the Western Bulldogs.