Brodie Grundy VFL updates: Axed Melbourne ruckman dominates Casey Demons match

Kieran Francis

Brodie Grundy VFL updates: Axed Melbourne ruckman dominates Casey Demons match image

Melbourne ruckman Brodie Grundy was left out of the senior side once again, as the Demons played Sydney on Sunday at the SCG.

Grundy was axed earlier this season prior to the Round 18 game against Brisbane, but had forced himself back into the team in Round 22 after an injury to Harrison Petty.

Back in the VFL, he'll face competition with Tom McDonald, who is making a late push for AFL selection after an ankle injury. 

The Sporting News has all the details as Grundy plays in the VFL for Casey Demons.

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How did Brodie Grundy play in the VFL for Casey Demons?

In the VFL Wildcard Round, Grundy won 33 possessions while kicking three goals in a dominant showing. 

The ruckman also won 18 hitouts, as he shared the stoppage attendances with young ruck Will Verral. 

Teammate McDonald kicked five goals as the Casey Demons got the win over North Melbourne, with both players pushing for AFL finals selection. 

Meanwhile, Melbourne goalkicker Bayley Fritsch made his long-awaited AFL return — slotting five goals against Sydney on Sunday. 

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Will Brodie Grundy get back into Melbourne's team for finals?

It's looking increasingly unlikely that Grundy will play for Melbourne in finals, with the Demons set to play a Qualifying final against Collingwood after finishing fourth.

Only an injury to captain Max Gawn is likely to get Grundy back into the side, as the experiment of him playing forward in the VFL and AFL has failed to bear fruit.

While Harrison Petty is out for the season with a foot issue, first-choice forward Fritsch has returned to fitness, while McDonald will also compete for a spot.

Ben Brown is also listed as a test with a knee injury, and the former North Melbourne forward will likely be given a crack in the forward line ahead of Grundy. 

Brodie Grundy
(Getty Images)

Why was Brodie Grundy dropped from Melbourne's team?

After an injury to Petty, Grundy got himself back into the senior team for the Round 22 game against Carlton after being axed for the Round 18 Brisbane match.

But the ex-Collingwood man failed to have much impact on the match, gathering only nine disposals and one mark.

He also failed to hit the scoreboard, but did get 11 hitouts in a support role to Gawn.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.