The Collingwood Magpies are reportedly on the brink of pulling off one of the most significant deals in their history, with star ruckman Brodie Grundy set to sign a mammoth seven-year extension.
The Herald Sun reports after a long-lasting standoff, the Magpies have agreed to Grundy's lofty contract demands, and offered the superstar tall a seven-year deal worth a reported $1 million a season.
Grundy, who is currently overseas on an off-season holiday, is due to return home next month for pre-season training, where he is expected to sign on the dotted line to become the richest ruckman ever.
The 25-year-old was set to become a free agent at the end of the 2020 season, and was keen to secure his future long-term.
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However, according to multiple reports, the Pies were battling to offer Grundy the money and contract length he was commanding, amid a salary cap squeeze set off by a number of other star players coming off-contract.
It was reported the club instead offered Grundy a three-year contract extension, which he turned down earlier this year.
This triggered suggestions the two-time All-Australian would seek a move home to South Australia, but in a sign of how highly Collingwood value him, the 2019 preliminary finalists have committed to the mega-deal.
It leaves for an intriguing situation with the Pies still yet to lock up fellow superstars Jordan de Goey, Scott Pendlebury and Darcy Moore - all of whom are off-contract at the end of next season and expected to command top dollar.
Grundy's calls for a seven-year deal stirred many opinions around the AFL, with the money and length being demanded not seen as fitting for a ruckman.
Former club legend and captain Tony Shaw baulked at Grundy's demands, saying the Pies would be taking way too big a risk allocating such a large chunk of their cap to a ruckman.
“Every time a ruckman goes up at a centre bounce, it can be a chance of a knee-on-knee (injury),” the 313-game former Magpie told Macquarie Sports Radio recently.
"It's different to a key position forward or midfielder, who doesn't have to go through that. You can have accidents of course.
Great stuff from Brodie Grundy. 👏#AFLPiesSuns pic.twitter.com/X4w5kfJnLx
— AFL (@AFL) August 4, 2019
“I think the three years Collingwood have offered him is fantastic, as a matter of fact after the four years he may be offered more.
“The other thing about him is wanting to go home, that may be a bigger pull than anything.
“In four years, you don’t know what’s going to happen in that period of time.”
Whilst the deal for Grundy has divided opinions, the South Australian is viewed as a once in a lifetime talent.
After being drafted with pick no. 18 in the 2012 draft by the Pies, and debuting in 2013, Grundy's rise over the past two seasons in particular has been remarkable.
He is a dual All-Australian after being handed a blazer over the past two seasons, as well as being voted the club's best and fairest twice.
