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'."
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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.
Hitting the griddy! 🕺A fine celebration by @OscarPiastri 😅#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/bFCb6evuQL
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 4, 2025
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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