
The Gen Z memes on Grundy's mind ahead of Dees reunion
Two Gen Z memes lurk in Sydney ruck Brodie Grundy's mind: 'lock in' and 'hit the griddy'.
The first came after a speech by club great Michael O'Loughlin before the Swans' eventual win over Carlton in their annual Marn Grook match.
And the second comes as the 31-year-old prepares for a reunion with competition heavyweight Max Gawn and his former side Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
Grundy was instrumental against the Blues, winning 47 hitouts to counterpart Marc Pittonet's 24.
But it was his fourth-quarter goal that sparked the Swans, launching them ahead for the first time on the way to a 16-point win.
"Michael O'Loughlin spoke to us before the game about the similarities between culture and footy," Grundy told AAP.
"It was a really inspiring speech.
"It was about stepping up when it's your moment and playing your role for the tribe and the team.
"Sometimes the game will present a momentum swing, and it's being able to go, 'OK, this is an opportunity now - we need to lock in'."
Grundy sensed his moment to "lock in" when he received a pass from Caiden Cleary as he streamed down the right wing in the final term.
As his shot sailed through the big sticks, the 202-centimetre tall ruckman bolted to the boundary line to celebrate with fans.
"I just saw the goals and I just thought, let's finish," Grundy said.
"I didn't celebrate (a goal against Essendon in the preceding round) hard enough - I was nonchalant, I was just cool, so I thought this moment required more.
"I was so gassed after the game. The boys were saying, 'you probably ran harder in your celebration than you have all game'."
Sunday's clash is Grundy's second reunion with the Demons, after his commanding performance in Sydney's opening-round win last year.
Gawn, fresh from inspiring his side's upset win over reigning premiers Brisbane with a monster 46 hitouts, remains the ruck benchmark.
"He's been the man for a long time and I love playing against the best," Grundy said.
"I really respect every opposition that I go up against because if you don't, you really do get found out at AFL level.
"My role each week, I just try and be really process driven. It's an 80-20, like 80 per cent about me and 20 per cent about my opposition."
And if Grundy manages to get a goal against the Dees?
He'll pull the same TikTok dance move that current Formula One championship leader Oscar Piastri did after winning the Miami Grand Prix earlier in May.
"I need to do the griddy," Grundy said.
Swans skipper Callum Mills will play his first game of the season following a foot injury, while star Demons defender Jake Lever is returning from ankle surgery.
Sydney have also recalled key forward Hayden McLean, while midfielder Taylor Adams returns from a hamstring injury after a stint in the VFL.
Two Gen Z memes lurk in Sydney ruck Brodie Grundy's mind: 'lock in' and 'hit the griddy'.
The first came after a speech by club great Michael O'Loughlin before the Swans' eventual win over Carlton in their annual Marn Grook match.
And the second comes as the 31-year-old prepares for a reunion with competition heavyweight Max Gawn and his former side Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
Grundy was instrumental against the Blues, winning 47 hitouts to counterpart Marc Pittonet's 24.
But it was his fourth-quarter goal that sparked the Swans, launching them ahead for the first time on the way to a 16-point win.
"Michael O'Loughlin spoke to us before the game about the similarities between culture and footy," Grundy told AAP.
"It was a really inspiring speech.
"It was about stepping up when it's your moment and playing your role for the tribe and the team.
"Sometimes the game will present a momentum swing, and it's being able to go, 'OK, this is an opportunity now - we need to lock in'."
Grundy sensed his moment to "lock in" when he received a pass from Caiden Cleary as he streamed down the right wing in the final term.
As his shot sailed through the big sticks, the 202-centimetre tall ruckman bolted to the boundary line to celebrate with fans.
"I just saw the goals and I just thought, let's finish," Grundy said.
"I didn't celebrate (a goal against Essendon in the preceding round) hard enough - I was nonchalant, I was just cool, so I thought this moment required more.
"I was so gassed after the game. The boys were saying, 'you probably ran harder in your celebration than you have all game'."
Sunday's clash is Grundy's second reunion with the Demons, after his commanding performance in Sydney's opening-round win last year.
Gawn, fresh from inspiring his side's upset win over reigning premiers Brisbane with a monster 46 hitouts, remains the ruck benchmark.
"He's been the man for a long time and I love playing against the best," Grundy said.
"I really respect every opposition that I go up against because if you don't, you really do get found out at AFL level.
"My role each week, I just try and be really process driven. It's an 80-20, like 80 per cent about me and 20 per cent about my opposition."
And if Grundy manages to get a goal against the Dees?
He'll pull the same TikTok dance move that current Formula One championship leader Oscar Piastri did after winning the Miami Grand Prix earlier in May.
"I need to do the griddy," Grundy said.
Swans skipper Callum Mills will play his first game of the season following a foot injury, while star Demons defender Jake Lever is returning from ankle surgery.
Sydney have also recalled key forward Hayden McLean, while midfielder Taylor Adams returns from a hamstring injury after a stint in the VFL.
Two Gen Z memes lurk in Sydney ruck Brodie Grundy's mind: 'lock in' and 'hit the griddy'.
The first came after a speech by club great Michael O'Loughlin before the Swans' eventual win over Carlton in their annual Marn Grook match.
And the second comes as the 31-year-old prepares for a reunion with competition heavyweight Max Gawn and his former side Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
Grundy was instrumental against the Blues, winning 47 hitouts to counterpart Marc Pittonet's 24.
But it was his fourth-quarter goal that sparked the Swans, launching them ahead for the first time on the way to a 16-point win.
"Michael O'Loughlin spoke to us before the game about the similarities between culture and footy," Grundy told AAP.
"It was a really inspiring speech.
"It was about stepping up when it's your moment and playing your role for the tribe and the team.
"Sometimes the game will present a momentum swing, and it's being able to go, 'OK, this is an opportunity now - we need to lock in'."
Grundy sensed his moment to "lock in" when he received a pass from Caiden Cleary as he streamed down the right wing in the final term.
As his shot sailed through the big sticks, the 202-centimetre tall ruckman bolted to the boundary line to celebrate with fans.
"I just saw the goals and I just thought, let's finish," Grundy said.
"I didn't celebrate (a goal against Essendon in the preceding round) hard enough - I was nonchalant, I was just cool, so I thought this moment required more.
"I was so gassed after the game. The boys were saying, 'you probably ran harder in your celebration than you have all game'."
Sunday's clash is Grundy's second reunion with the Demons, after his commanding performance in Sydney's opening-round win last year.
Gawn, fresh from inspiring his side's upset win over reigning premiers Brisbane with a monster 46 hitouts, remains the ruck benchmark.
"He's been the man for a long time and I love playing against the best," Grundy said.
"I really respect every opposition that I go up against because if you don't, you really do get found out at AFL level.
"My role each week, I just try and be really process driven. It's an 80-20, like 80 per cent about me and 20 per cent about my opposition."
And if Grundy manages to get a goal against the Dees?
He'll pull the same TikTok dance move that current Formula One championship leader Oscar Piastri did after winning the Miami Grand Prix earlier in May.
"I need to do the griddy," Grundy said.
Swans skipper Callum Mills will play his first game of the season following a foot injury, while star Demons defender Jake Lever is returning from ankle surgery.
Sydney have also recalled key forward Hayden McLean, while midfielder Taylor Adams returns from a hamstring injury after a stint in the VFL.

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Battling Bloods: Swans aim to emulate 2005 breakthrough
Sydney may have some soul searching to do, but coach Dean Cox is adamant they haven't strayed from their famed Bloods culture. The Swans will get a timely reminder of the team-first ethos that netted the club's first premiership in 72 years when the 2005 winning team does a lap of honour during Saturday's match against Adelaide at the SCG. The 20-year celebration of the historic triumph over West Coast comes after a dismal 53-point loss to Melbourne in Sydney's first MCG visit since last year's grand-final loss - the margin helped only by the Demons' poor goalkicking. Sydney's season teeters on the brink with a 4-7 ledger at the midway point, compounded by a long injury list and players regularly getting suspended for undisciplined acts. But Cox says inconsistency is what plagues his side, not a lack of belief in the Bloods ethos. 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Adelaide (7-4) will look to string back-to-back wins after thumping cellar dwellers West Coast by 66 points, with Josh Rachele finishing with five goals. Crows coach Matthew Nicks has opted to rest Rory Laird, but they will regain Taylor Walker (managed). Sydney may have some soul searching to do, but coach Dean Cox is adamant they haven't strayed from their famed Bloods culture. The Swans will get a timely reminder of the team-first ethos that netted the club's first premiership in 72 years when the 2005 winning team does a lap of honour during Saturday's match against Adelaide at the SCG. The 20-year celebration of the historic triumph over West Coast comes after a dismal 53-point loss to Melbourne in Sydney's first MCG visit since last year's grand-final loss - the margin helped only by the Demons' poor goalkicking. Sydney's season teeters on the brink with a 4-7 ledger at the midway point, compounded by a long injury list and players regularly getting suspended for undisciplined acts. But Cox says inconsistency is what plagues his side, not a lack of belief in the Bloods ethos. Player empowerment, playing for each other, never saying die, and strong off-field standards are the hallmarks of the culture fostered by former Swans coach Paul Roos. West Coast great Cox knows Sydney's trademark strengths all too well, with the six-time All-Australian ruck's last-gasp kick famously marked by Leo Barry in the final seconds of the low-scoring 2005 grand final. Former Sydney captain and powerhouse forward Barry Hall was also present at training on Friday morning. "We always want to be a hard team to play against. That hasn't changed, I reckon, since 2000 here. We still want that," Cox said on Friday. "The players are aware of what the team stood for and how they played through that period of time. "There's a little subtle messaging that we'll play throughout the week about how we can try and emulate." Cox highlighted consistency as the "hardest part" for his charges. "For periods, it's been OK. Against Carlton, you go plus 30 (contested possession)," he said. "Then you go minus 27 (against Melbourne) ... the discrepancies have been so great." Cox has made another selection statement, with Ollie Florent's streak of 130 consecutive matches ending after being dropped in favour of Caleb Mitchell. In-form winger Justin McInerney and defender Lewis Melican also return from suspension, with Cox pressing that his side could not afford to wait for injured stars Errol Gulden and Tom Papley to rescue them. Swans captain Callum Mills is out through suspension. "It's about exactly that - seizing the moment when you are there and making sure we can't wait," Cox said. "We're not in a position to wait. As a football club, we never wait. "One thing you want the players to do is to play their role in a trademark game consistently, and Ollie hasn't been doing that. "That's what you expect from a player that's played 150 games of footy, and there's a number of them that have been in that position." Adelaide (7-4) will look to string back-to-back wins after thumping cellar dwellers West Coast by 66 points, with Josh Rachele finishing with five goals. Crows coach Matthew Nicks has opted to rest Rory Laird, but they will regain Taylor Walker (managed). Sydney may have some soul searching to do, but coach Dean Cox is adamant they haven't strayed from their famed Bloods culture. The Swans will get a timely reminder of the team-first ethos that netted the club's first premiership in 72 years when the 2005 winning team does a lap of honour during Saturday's match against Adelaide at the SCG. The 20-year celebration of the historic triumph over West Coast comes after a dismal 53-point loss to Melbourne in Sydney's first MCG visit since last year's grand-final loss - the margin helped only by the Demons' poor goalkicking. Sydney's season teeters on the brink with a 4-7 ledger at the midway point, compounded by a long injury list and players regularly getting suspended for undisciplined acts. But Cox says inconsistency is what plagues his side, not a lack of belief in the Bloods ethos. Player empowerment, playing for each other, never saying die, and strong off-field standards are the hallmarks of the culture fostered by former Swans coach Paul Roos. West Coast great Cox knows Sydney's trademark strengths all too well, with the six-time All-Australian ruck's last-gasp kick famously marked by Leo Barry in the final seconds of the low-scoring 2005 grand final. Former Sydney captain and powerhouse forward Barry Hall was also present at training on Friday morning. "We always want to be a hard team to play against. That hasn't changed, I reckon, since 2000 here. We still want that," Cox said on Friday. "The players are aware of what the team stood for and how they played through that period of time. "There's a little subtle messaging that we'll play throughout the week about how we can try and emulate." Cox highlighted consistency as the "hardest part" for his charges. "For periods, it's been OK. Against Carlton, you go plus 30 (contested possession)," he said. "Then you go minus 27 (against Melbourne) ... the discrepancies have been so great." Cox has made another selection statement, with Ollie Florent's streak of 130 consecutive matches ending after being dropped in favour of Caleb Mitchell. In-form winger Justin McInerney and defender Lewis Melican also return from suspension, with Cox pressing that his side could not afford to wait for injured stars Errol Gulden and Tom Papley to rescue them. Swans captain Callum Mills is out through suspension. "It's about exactly that - seizing the moment when you are there and making sure we can't wait," Cox said. "We're not in a position to wait. As a football club, we never wait. "One thing you want the players to do is to play their role in a trademark game consistently, and Ollie hasn't been doing that. "That's what you expect from a player that's played 150 games of footy, and there's a number of them that have been in that position." Adelaide (7-4) will look to string back-to-back wins after thumping cellar dwellers West Coast by 66 points, with Josh Rachele finishing with five goals. Crows coach Matthew Nicks has opted to rest Rory Laird, but they will regain Taylor Walker (managed).

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7 hours ago
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Twenty years on, is Sydney's ‘Bloods' culture at risk of fading away?
On Saturday, the Sydney Swans will mark the 20-year anniversary of their drought-breaking, identity-forging 2005 AFL premiership – the moment that their 'Bloods culture' went from being an internal concept, barely spoken about outside the club, to a very public ethos, mythologised in footy folklore and proudly etched into the club's DNA. At half-time of Sydney's clash with the Adelaide Crows, players from that famous grand final win will do a lap of honour at the SCG, and thousands of fans will show their appreciation for them and the achievement that set up the enviable era that followed. At no point in the past two decades has that culture – built on discipline, selflessness, unity and commitment, revered and feared by their rivals – appeared more vulnerable than right now. If nothing else, the Swans of 2025 are clearly undisciplined. Skipper Callum Mills will miss Saturday's clash through suspension, and he's far from the only culprit; no team this year has had more players rubbed out than the Swans. And those other qualities, for so long non-negotiables at this club, just aren't sticking. After last week's hollow defeat to Melbourne – the Swans' first match at the MCG since last year's grand final, their second belting on the game's biggest stage in the space of three years – former Western Bulldogs champion Bob Murphy diagnosed their issues in perhaps the most Bob Murphy way imaginable. 'Well, the thing about the Bloods,' he said on ABC Radio. 'Blood needs to pump, and the thing that pumps your blood is your heart, and I feel like they've played with broken hearts for most of the year.' All the players who built the Bloods culture are gone; in fact, so much has changed that the bloke who kicked the ball that Leo Barry marked is now the coach. Paul Roos is long gone, and so too is his successor John Longmire; though he's still technically around, in his new upstairs role at the Swans, the football department is no longer his domain. Like the Ship of Theseus, if all the parts have changed, and all the hands which put them there are different, is it still the same? Recent history would suggest that yes, that culture has been successfully preserved: only three times since 2005 have the Swans missed the finals, and most would agree that they probably should have won more than one of their four grand finals in that time. And the brand of footy they have played throughout is - or was - still based on the same fundamentals.