Collingwood CEO Mark Anderson has swatted away rumours that million-dollar ruckman Brodie Grundy is set to exit the AIA Centre at the cessation of the season, despite remaining contracted until the end of 2027.
While the recent winds of trade have linked the 28-year-old with a shift back to South Australia as well as a post with the Giants, Anderson claimed that the bearded big man would be staying in black and white bars for the foreseeable future.
When speaking with Sportsday, the Magpies chief claimed that it wasn't his job to respond to baseless claims, especially when Grundy remained under contract.
“We understand there’s going to be a lot of speculation around and there is for a whole range of players," Anderson said.
“There’s speculation, it’s not our job to respond to speculation.
“Brodie is coming back after 15 weeks, he’s going to play in the VFL this week on Saturday and being out 15 weeks, all of our focus is on him coming back.”
Following claims that Collingwood's recent salary cap woes were an ill of the past, Anderson stated clearly that the club's many members could expect Grundy to see out the remainder of his rich deal.
"He’s got a contract and committed to that. Clearly, anything that is changed would be his decision," Anderson added.
“We’ll have all of those conversations at the backend of the year in terms of what our list looks like and what our needs are.
“Now’s not the time for doing that.
“Brodie getting back and playing some great footy is our absolute focus.
“We’re a better team with Brodie in it, there is no doubt about that.”
Grundy is expected to earn within the vicinity of $5 million from the club across the course of the next five seasons.
Anderson also spoke on the future of Jordan De Goey, following recent reports linking the hybrid threat with an off-season shift to the Saints.
Set to come out of contract at the completion of Collingwood's current campaign, the tattooed 26-year-old has already seen a deal pulled by the Pies after his most recent off-field indiscretion earlier in the season.
As previous reports suggested, the now shredded extension was said to have seen De Goey land at least $1.6 million from the Woods on a two-year deal with triggers for another pair available.
While Anderson was willing to claim that conversations between the club and their controversial star had been parked, the chief executive played a straight bat when asked about where De Goey would be in 2023.
“We were really clear with Jordy at the time that we’d leave those conversations until the end of the year, and we will,” Anderson said.
“What I will say is he’s doing everything right, he’s prepared right, we’re looking forward to getting him back into the team.”
After being drafted with the fifth pick in the 2014 National Draft, De Goey has met the markers to become a restricted free agent by the end of September.