Reg Retires

[AnnieH]

Oh my.
I'm a bit teary.
You're the BEST Reg.

[liz]

Demonstrates how much of a difference to list management this mid-season draft represents. I have some sympathy for Geelong's position that it negates the need to properly manage your list at the start of the year. I guess it's just one more change that clubs will get used to, though in this case the AFL didn't make up their minds about the mid-season draft until after lists had been determined in the off-season.

One effect this might have is prolonging the careers (by a tad) of players who aren't sure if they can carry on or not. Clearly the Swans decided to give Grundy another year anyway, but doing so makes more sense now that you can replace a player part way through the year if it turns out they can't actually make it through the season.

I guess this is neither good nor bad - it's just different to what we're used to.

In the meantime, congratulations to Reg for a wonderful career in the red and white. He has been a wonderful servant of the club and the epitome of the value the rookie list can provide. I think my fondest memory of his (or combination of memories) was watching him - yet again - carve up the opposition in a reserves game, complete with blond tips in his hair, only to have those blonde tips disappear by the time he made his senior debut the following week. Clearly he realised that it wasn't a bad idea not to stand out with flashy hair on debut. Didn't stop him earning a Brownlow vote on debut, mind.

[Kumarangk]

All the best in retirement Reg.His conversion from the front to the back was obviously a masterstroke.Who made this ?

So this is to free up our list for the midyear draft ?

[Blood Fever]

I had a funny feeling that someone might retire before May 27! He's been such a rock in defence.

Grundy calls time - sydneyswans.com.au

Sydney coach John Longmire paid tribute to Grundy’s extraordinary career.

“Heath has been an unbelievable servant of our club for a long time and there’s no doubt he will be missed,” Longmire said. “In terms of leadership, Heath set an example for all of us with his meticulous preparation, dedication and passion for his craft. Each week he’d line up on the opposition’s most damaging and biggest forward – and he’d just get the job done. He’s a premiership player and a champion of our club. We wish Heath, Elise, Reggie and Jameson all the best for the next phase of life.”

Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham said Grundy is one of the greatest Swans stories.

“Heath has been an anchor of our defence over the past decade. His dedication and resilience saw him progress from the rookie list to being in the top 10 players for games played at the Sydney Swans,” Pridham said. “A premiership player and Life Member, Heath will be remembered for his on-field toughness. He is an immensely popular figure at the club and his strength of character and friendliness has benefitted everyone he has dealt with over the past 15 years.”

Great player for us for over a decade. Very effective and remarkably consistent. Stood up in 2016 GF where a few others went missing. Underrated as well.

[Markwebbos]

I had a funny feeling that someone might retire before May 27! He's been such a rock in defence.

Grundy calls time - sydneyswans.com.au

Sydney coach John Longmire paid tribute to Grundy’s extraordinary career.

“Heath has been an unbelievable servant of our club for a long time and there’s no doubt he will be missed,” Longmire said. “In terms of leadership, Heath set an example for all of us with his meticulous preparation, dedication and passion for his craft. Each week he’d line up on the opposition’s most damaging and biggest forward – and he’d just get the job done. He’s a premiership player and a champion of our club. We wish Heath, Elise, Reggie and Jameson all the best for the next phase of life.”

Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham said Grundy is one of the greatest Swans stories.

“Heath has been an anchor of our defence over the past decade. His dedication and resilience saw him progress from the rookie list to being in the top 10 players for games played at the Sydney Swans,” Pridham said. “A premiership player and Life Member, Heath will be remembered for his on-field toughness. He is an immensely popular figure at the club and his strength of character and friendliness has benefitted everyone he has dealt with over the past 15 years.”

[caj23]

Heath Grundy has pulled the pin, there is an article on the official Swans site

Great career, what a legend!