Brodie Grundy axing by Melbourne leaves Kane Cornes ‘staggered’, as commerce to Sydney looms
Kane Cornes has labelled Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin “cussed” for his refusal to play out-of-favour ruckman Brodie Grundy within the heartbreaking two-point loss to Carlton in Friday’s semi closing.
The loss resulted within the Demons’ second consecutive straight-sets exit from the finals, with Grundy not even chosen as a medical substitute as Josh Schache acquired that spot as an alternative regardless of enjoying simply three video games for the entire season. Schache didn’t find yourself getting used on the night time.
After initially promoting Grundy on a dream partnership with membership captain Max Gawn, Goodwin and the Demons deserted the ruck tandem for the again half of the 12 months.
READ MORE: Cleary hospital journey rocks Panthers in prelim closing week
READ MORE: Axed skipper questions Eddie tactic after loss
READ MORE: Hewitt calls for heads roll over Davis Cup ‘catastrophe’
Grundy was dropped after spherical 17 and performed only one extra match (towards Carlton in spherical 22) earlier than being ignored of Goodwin’s aspect for each finals.
Cornes mentioned he was “staggered” that Melbourne didn’t imagine Grundy deserved a spot in its greatest 23, because the two-time All-Australian closes in on an exit after only one season on the membership.
“Why do it’s a must to be so cussed? Yeah, it labored for that time period, however then issues change all through the season and also you get some challenges and a few accidents,” Cornes mentioned on SEN on Monday.
“If Brodie Grundy just isn’t in your greatest 23 within the lead as much as a closing, I would be staggered.
“It is not a hindsight one, I used to be adamant with that throughout the week. At worst, because the sub.”
Cornes broke down the place he believed Grundy might have had the most important affect on Friday night time.
“To not have the power to have the ability to push (Max) Gawn ahead — he, at instances, appeared like the one menace,” he mentioned.
“At instances, they’d (Tom) McDonald and (Christian) Petracca within the ruck. I believed that was too cussed of them to not transfer after they wanted to maneuver and play Brodie Grundy in a closing.”
The Port Adelaide champion mentioned Grundy might have had as huge an affect as Collingwood’s Mason Cox has as a sub up to now.
‘How thrilling’: Lloyd urges Grundy to maneuver on
“Bear in mind Mason Cox got here on because the sub towards Brisbane and he was ravenous, leaping and pounding in at centre bonce and nearly modified the course of that sport,” Cornes mentioned.
“Think about if Grundy had come on late within the quarter and then you definitely push Gawn ahead, the power (Grundy) would’ve offered across the ball.
“As an alternative you have acquired Josh Schache — what’s he going to supply for you? Nothing.”
As for the large man’s future, Grundy is prone to land at Sydney throughout the commerce interval, after not too long ago assembly with the Swans. It’ll doubtless price the Swans a second-round choose in return.
The AFL commerce interval begins on Monday, October 9 and ends on Wednesday, October 18.
