| Heath Grundy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Grundy playing for Sydney in June 2017 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Heath Grundy | ||
| Nickname(s) | Reg | ||
| Date of birth | 2 June 1986 | ||
| Original team(s) | Norwood (SANFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 42, 2005 Rookie draft, Sydney | ||
| Height | 192 cm (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Weight | 101 kg (223 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2005–2019 | Sydney | 256 (24) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2019. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Heath Grundy (born 2 June 1986) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Nicknamed 'Reg'[1] due to his namesake Reg Grundy, he was elevated from the Sydney Swans rookie list in 2005 after playing senior football with South Australian National Football League (SANFL) club Norwood and being an All-Australian under-18s player in 2004. He made an impressive senior debut in a Round 16, 2006, kicking three goals in a win against Richmond.
After his three-goal debut, Grundy was used predominantly in the forward line. After Grundy failed to convert his debut success on a consistent basis, Roos moved Grundy into defence where he has remained. It was not until 2009 that Grundy showed genuine promise as a defender. Grundy's ability to outmark his opponent (usually larger in weight and height) and find the ball more frequently, have been his most notable improvements.
In 2010, after Craig Bolton sustained a season-ending injury and then later on when Lewis Roberts-Thomson injured his hamstring, Grundy was called on by Roos to play on the competition's best forwards. He marked players including Nick Riewoldt, Matthew Pavlich, Jonathan Brown, Barry Hall and Lance Franklin.[1] He finished 5th in the Bob Skilton Medal.
2011 was another fairly consistent year for Grundy. He formed a stable partnership with Ted Richards as the Swans' key position defenders and held down the centre half-back position with aplomb. He was forced out of the Swans' run into and through the finals due to contracting glandular fever late in the year.[2]
- ^ a b Conn, Malcolm (16 April 2010). "Heath Grundy gained confidence after becoming a permanent member of Swans team". The Australian.
- ^ Windley, Matt (20 October 2011). "Illness sapped Swan Heath Grundy's energy". Herald Sun.