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The Live Sport Bible is here!“He's an extra mid": Hinkley and Simpson praise Grundy's performance
SEN • May 17th, 2026 7:05 pm
Ken Hinkley and Adam Simpson have praised the performance of Sydney’s Brodie Grundy following their victory against Collingwood on Friday night.
The ruckman had a best on ground performance against his former side, collecting 46 hitouts, 34 disposals and 12 clearances in their six-point win.
With the Swans continuing to hold top spot, the former Port Adelaide coach believed Grundy was the difference between Sydney winning and losing, having acted like an extra midfielder.
“I think the Grundy factor was the biggest factor,” Hinkley explained on SEN’s Crunch Time.
“I mean, (Oscar) Steene goes down and does his knee. Grundy had 18 hitouts to advantage to one.
“So when you look at that number and the Swans stoppage score six goals, five behinds to one goal, five behinds, that's the game.
“They (Collingwood) lost the game because of one person. He had 34 disposals for a ruckman.
“He's an extra mid. He actually is an extra mid, and he chases the ball like an extra mid.
“If his marking was at the next level, I think he'd be nearly unstoppable.”
This would lead Hinkley to ask Simpson as to whether Grundy was the leading contender for the ruck spot in the All-Australian side.
Hinkley: Is he now (the) favourite for the all-Australian side right now?
Simpson: I've got (Luke) Jackson slightly, and we've had this debate, Gerard (Whateley) and I.
I just think this rule change in the middle; he was the first one (in the) pre-season to really adapt well, and since then he's just taken his game to another level.
I thought he was half done a few years ago. I just didn't think he had it in him. Even the competitive stuff, I was starting to ask questions.
What he's done this year in particular, I think it's gonna be really difficult (to argue against his spot).
Grundy and the Swans will next feature on Saturday when they travel to Geelong to play the Cats.
That takes place at GMHBA Stadium at 4:15pm AEST.
