Collingwood star ruckman Brodie Grundy has recommitted to the club on a new seven-year deal.
It will tie the two-time All Australian to the Holden Centre until the end of the 2027 season in a major coup for the Pies.
After considering a move back to South Australia, the 25-year old has shunned free agency to remain a Magpie for life.
The 132-gamer admitted there was a number of things to consider but ultimately his heart was at Collingwood.
โClearly, at this age and point in my career, it was an important decision,โ Grundy told collingwoodfc.com.au.
โI took my time to consider all of the things that mean the most to me - my football, my ambitions, my life beyond the game, my family, friends, team-mates and the football club โ and settled on what I believe is best for all of those relationships, needs and passions.
โI want to be able to find the very best version of myself, as a person and a footballer, but I also want to contribute to the greater good, to the whole. I know that, in a football sense at least, what โBucksโ and the group are creating is a cause worth continuing to invest in passionately.
โThere is so much more to come, personally and collectively.โ
The big man is coming off a massive 2019 season where he averaged 21.3 disposals, 42.6 hitouts, 4.4 marks and 4.3 tackles per contest.
It was reported in November that Grundy had agreed to stay at Collingwood on a reported seven-year deal worth $1 million a season.
He is coming off back-to-back Copeland Trophies and All Australians.
Pies list boss Ned Guy praised Grundy for his attitude and professionalism and said the best is yet to come.
โBrodie is clearly a very, very good footballer who is important to Collingwoodโs future,โ Guy said.
โBrodie is physical in the way he plays the game. He prepares exceptionally well which explains, in part, his durability. He wants to lead, wants to improve, wants to set an example and dominate. He is rarely content with his game.
โWe love the fact that he sees so much scope for improvement and is determined to be as good as he can possibly be even though, at 25 years of age, he is already an influential player on the field and, increasingly, in the change room.
โIf you look at Brodieโs performances, he is on an upswing. It will be fascinating, and a joy, to see Brodieโs future unfold.โ
