Battle of the G Forces
AFL’s two most in-form ruckmen about to go head to head
FORGET David and Goliath, this is Goliath and Goliath.
Brodie Grundy versus Max Gawn is the ultimate game within a game — the AFL’s two most in-form ruckmen set to lock horns in the mosthyped Queen’s Birthday match in 10 years between Melbourne and Collingwood.
The 203cm Grundy and 208cm Gawn are locked in a season-long battle for All-Australian honours, but that rivalry will narrow sharply when they stand opposite each other at the opening bounce at the MCG on Monday afternoon.
They are the game’s premier big men with premier midfields underneath them, but they remain a contrast in styles at the same time.
Grundy is more dangerous around the ground, averaging 21.6 disposals (ranked No. 1 among ruckmen), 13.1 contest- ed possessions (first) and 5.2 clearances (first) per game.
While Gawn is no slouch when it comes to getting his hands on the footy, his real dominance has come via his bread and butter ruckwork, producing more hitouts-toadvantage than anyone else.
Gawn is also No. 1 for score involvements; Grundy is No. 2.
But the flow-on effect from their ruckwork will be significant, given they pilot two of the most powerful engine rooms in the competition.
Melbourne and Collingwood possess the best contest- ed possession on-ball divisions in the business, averaging a contested possession differential of +19.2 (1st) and +8.8 (2nd) respectively. This is where the Dees, a dominant leader in this category at 10.4 more than the second-placed Pies each week, really benefit from Gawn’s hitout influence.
Both midfields are ball hogs. Collingwood’s midfield ranks No. 1 for disposal differential and Melbourne is No. 2. The Demons’ engine room is No. 1 for inside 50m differential and the Pies’ No. 4. Clearance differential is Collingwood third and Melbourne fifth.
Grundy v Gawn and the respective midfields underneath them loom as the most fierce battle we’ve seen this season.