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The Swans could be faced with a “tight” salary cap “squeeze” this year after surprise details of Brodie Grundy’s contract were revealed.
Grundy, who is being paid by Sydney and Collingwood, is at his third AFL club in as many years after jumping ship from the Magpies and then Melbourne.
And, while he was impressive in his Swans debut last Thursday, his services appear to be costing Sydney “a little bit more” than pundits originally thought, potentially resulting in uncomfortable contract conversations at the end of the year.
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The 29-year-old is contracted through the 2027 season, having penned an eight-year agreement in 2020 while still at Olympic Park.
While the majority of the ruckman’s contract details are common knowledge, Herald Sun journalist Sam Landsberger clarified some of the misconceptions regarding Grundy’s Swans deal.
“A lot of people think he’s on about $900,000 (per season), he has been throughout the duration of this seven-year contract,” Landsberger told Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle.
“It’s actually a little bit more. He’s definitely a million-dollar player, Brodie Grundy. I think it might be just over $1,000,000 this year.
“A lot of people thought that Sydney would be paying about $600,000 — that was what Melbourne was paying last year — it’s more than that.”
Asked Herald Sun colleague Jay Clark: “I think the expectation was Sydney got him on the cheap, right? How did they get him so easy?
“Look at this gift that they got from Melbourne. But you’re saying he’s still on (around $750,000) at the Swans.”
Landsberger broke down the different portions of Grundy’s contract, noting the Demons are financially free of their commitments to their former big man.
“Collingwood is still chipping in about $300,000, so they’re paying him to play against them on Friday night,” he said.
“You add that 700-750 to Collingwood’s 300 (and) he’s on over a million dollars this year, you can take that to the bank.
“And Melbourne, (he’s) totally off their books there, they’re not paying a penny.”
Clark said that while Grundy “deserved” his pay-day, there will be consequences elsewhere for the Swans as a result.
“It’s got to have ramifications, though, because you look at Sydney with a tight (salary) cap,” Clark said.
“They brought Taylor Adams also, you think they’re going to try and sign-up Logan McDonald, we know Fremantle are into him.
“Also, Errol Gulden, who becomes a seven-figure player on his next contract. There’s a bit to juggle there for the Swans.”
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The Herald Sun’s Scott Gullan chimed in, mentioning Sydney’s pursuits of a couple of Bulldogs key forwards in recent times, as well as Logan McDonald’s standing in the Harbour City.
“It’s interesting, because as we know, they went hard for Aaron Naughton and missed (and) Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who’s also out of contract,” Gullan said.
“We all thought Sydney are coming, they’re loading the guns and now we’re here — hang on, it’s a bit of a squeeze play.”
“So, since last year (they brought in) Adams and Grundy, so if they’re squeezed, what do they do? Logan McDonald’s an interesting one, the kid’s in his fourth year, he’s 21, he’s obviously a talent, but has he shown enough to be paid a million bucks?
“Am I handing over a million-plus to him just so he doesn’t go back to WA? I’m not.”
Sydney’s Round 1 clash with Collingwood is scheduled for 7:40pm on Friday at the MCG.
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