Tutor of note gives Grundy a few tips

AFL COLLINGWOOD ruckman Brodie Grundy is using pen and paper to tutor his younger brother Riley, who is following his unconventional pathway towards the AFL as clubs track the raw and exciting teenager at Sturt.

Like Brodie, who walked into Sturt at 16 asking for an opportunity after playing basketball as a junior, Riley only took up footy at 15 but has developed from rangy ruckman to a key defender with explosive speed, a good leap and reach.

“When I was rucking Brodie used to give me a lot of pointers on how to best position my body and that’s something I’ve taken through my game now,” Riley said.

“And whenever he comes around we go to the local park and have a kick and a few ruck contests.

“In particular now when I’ve been trying to learn this defensive craft he’s got the pen and paper out and draws up where I should be positioning myself and doing this and that, play in front, go up the ground.

“I’m definitely very privileged to have a brother playing at the highest level of football.

“I’m traditionally a ruckman but in the last year they’ve really tried to turn me into a key defender and I feel this year I’ve tried to improve my intercept marking and my defensive craft has come a long way since last year.”

Riley, 17, was already on the radar of AFL recruiters but Brodie’s outstanding start to the season with Collingwood has only added to the intrigue.

At 195cm and 80kg he is smaller than Brodie (202cm and 100kg) but last year tested 2.9secs for his 20m sprint which is considered very good for a player his size.