Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy is in good pre-season touch.
Camera IconCollingwood’s Brodie Grundy is in good pre-season touch. Credit: News Corp Australia, Wayne Ludbey

Brodie Grundy impresses at Collingwood open training session, Daniel Wells on light duties

Ben WaterworthNews Corp Australia

BRODIE Grundy appears primed for the most important season of his budding AFL career yet, with the Collingwood ruckman in ominous pre-season touch.

A lean and fit Grundy was among the standout performers during the Magpies’ open training session on Wednesday morning.

However, the few hundred fans in attendance didn’t see much of veteran recruit Daniel Wells, who continues to be cautiously eased back into full training as he approaches his 15th AFL season.

Grundy displayed impressive agility for his 203cm frame during early drills, before showing off his one-on-one strength during marking, stoppage and ruck drills later in the session. His pinpoint execution by foot between contests also stood out.

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The 22-year-old is now clearly the Pies’ No. 1 ruckman, with Jarrod Witts moving to Gold Coast during last year’s trade period and Mason Cox returning to the rookie list.

After a stunning backend to his 2016 campaign — he averaged 20.1 disposals, 4.8 tackles, 31.3 hit-outs and 107 Champion Data ranking points after Collingwood’s Round 13 bye — Grundy will be heavily relied upon by the Pies to carry most of the ruck load in 2017.

Brodie Grundy will carry most of the ruck load for Collingwood in 2017.
Camera IconBrodie Grundy will carry most of the ruck load for Collingwood in 2017. Credit: Getty Images

Wells trained for just over 35 minutes on Wednesday as he continues to recover from a calf injury suffered in December.

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After warming up with the main group, Wells joined in a three-way kick-to-kick with teammates Ben Reid and Brayden Sier. He then completed run-throughs at a variety of paces along the wing before vacating the Olympic Park turf just after 10am.

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Reid and Sier continued to run laps, along with defender Tom Langdon, on-baller Ben Crocker, draftee Sam McLarty and rookie Mitch McCarthy.

Reid, who underwent knee surgery during the off-season, was arguably the strongest performer of the modified training group, but Langdon, who played just five games in 2016 due to ankle and knee issues, appeared some time off joining the main group.

Jamie Elliott trained strongly for Collingwood on Wednesday.
Camera IconJamie Elliott trained strongly for Collingwood on Wednesday. Credit: Getty Images

Jamie Elliott’s bid to be available for Round 1 selection continued to gather momentum, with the small forward moving freely and confidently during Wednesday’s session.

Elliott, who missed the entire 2016 season due to a back injury, trained with the main playing group for over an hour before moving into the 50m arc to concentrate on set-shot goalkicking and agility work.

He’s on track to return to full training by Australia Day, which was the date the club’s fitness staff had been working towards.

Fellow Pies forward Alex Fasolo is also back in full training and participating in contact drills after undergoing post-season shoulder surgery.

Daniel Wells was on light duties.
Camera IconDaniel Wells was on light duties. Credit: Getty Images
From Dees to Pies: Lynden Dunn and Jeremy Howe.
Camera IconFrom Dees to Pies: Lynden Dunn and Jeremy Howe. Credit: Getty Images
New Collingwood assistant coach Brenton Sanderson.
Camera IconNew Collingwood assistant coach Brenton Sanderson. Credit: Getty Images
Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury.
Camera IconCollingwood captain Scott Pendlebury. Credit: Getty Images
Brayden Maynard and Taylor Adams.
Camera IconBrayden Maynard and Taylor Adams. Credit: Getty Images
Travis Varcoe is entering his 12th AFL season.
Camera IconTravis Varcoe is entering his 12th AFL season. Credit: Getty Images