Brodie Grundy’s expanded role in Collingwood’s attacking 50 next year came as news to him when he reported for pre-season training.
Pies coach Nathan Buckley says he’d like to use Grundy, the club’s No.1 ruck, in tandem with American ruck-forward Mason Cox more often.
That would see Grundy spend more time in attack next season, a prospect he hadn’t given much thought to.
“You (media) guys are talking about it so much that I thought, ‘Oh my God, I might have be a forward next year,” Grundy said on Wednesday.
“Literally, I haven’t even thought about it until really this week.
“I actually spoke to Bucks and was like, ‘Mate, am I a forward now?’
“He said, ‘Look, the last game of the year went really well with you and Mason and we think we get a really different look with both of you (playing)’.”
Cox played just nine AFL games in 2017, kicking 10 goals and averaging 16 hitouts.
Grundy only missed two games – due to a suspension for a dangerous tackle on North Melbourne’s Ben Brown – and averaged 35 hitouts and kicked four goals.
Both players signed long-term deals with the club last season and Buckley is intent on getting them both on the ground at the same time.
“I’ve always played as a ruckman … I love the idea to go down and kick goals but I suppose the few goals I have kicked in my career have been as ruckman floating forward,” Grundy said.
“I think I have the capability to add those strings to my bow.
“They’re going to be playing the best 22 and if me and Mason are both in there that’s fantastic.”