Max Gawn is excited about the arrival of Brodie Grundy to Melbourne, indicating that the ruck dynamic could emulate that of the 2022 premiers.
Grundy heads to the Demons after ten seasons and 177 games with Collingwood, traded in October as the Pies sought to make some room in their salary cup. The 28-year-old had previously signed a lucrative seven-year deal in 2019 to remain at the Holden Centre long-term.
Speaking to media as part of a promotion for the Tour Down Under, Gawn said that nabbing Grundy from the Pies was an "amazing get".
“(A) two-time All-Australian, two-time best and fairest winner for half his salary. It's an amazing get, come in Brodie," Gawn said.
When asked about the logistics of the ruck pairing, Gawn said the pair would work together to find the best dynamic, while revealing that the duo could take inspiration from Geelong in 2022.
“It's unique, we certainly haven't really seen two rucks play together who both really love that ruck role but, as we both get older, we both develop different parts of our game," Gawn said.
“I see it working really, really well. I am really, really excited. I am really bullish about the fact it can work. My partner in crime over the last three years, Luke Jackson, is going to (share) the No.1 (ruck) in Fremantle, so there are double ruck combinations everywhere. I feel ours is one of the better ones.
“Rhys Stanley sort of played behind the ball, and Blicavs and Hawkins dominated around the ground. So, I feel like we can [have] a few little different weapons that can put teams on the back foot.
“I feel like I have worked on that and have got better over time. Like I said with the Geelong thing, Rhys Stanley was able to play behind the ball as well, which I feel like is one of my strengths.
“So maybe keeping teams on their toes could be Brodie forward, me forward, could be both in the ruck, could be one playing mid - probably not, but one could.”
The Demons will be without Luke Jackson next season, who was traded to Fremantle during the 2022 trade period, with Grundy stepping in to replace the young gun.
Collingwood, as part of the deal with Melbourne, will pay part of Grundy's salary throughout his time at the Demons.