Kangaroos legend David King rips into ‘quiet’ Collingwood star Brodie Grundy

North Melbourne legend David King has blasted Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy following Friday evening’s loss to the Western Bulldogs.

In front of 46,051 spectators at the MCG, the Bulldogs secured a 10.9 (69) to 7.11 (53) victory to get their 2021 campaign off to a flyer — it was the club’s biggest win over the Magpies since 2016.

Grundy has an impeccable record against the Bulldogs — three Brownlow votes in their three most recent clashes — but failed to have an impact during the club’s season opener, contributing just 11 disposals and three tackles.

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King bluntly ripped into Grundy following Friday’s underwhelming performance against the Bulldogs, calling on the ruckman to prove his worth.

The 26-year-old is reportedly in the first season of a mammoth seven-year deal with the Magpies, estimated to work $1 million per year.

“If you’re going to pay someone a million dollars a year, they’ve got to be the difference in the game. You can’t be in question,” King said on Fox Footy.

“He was beaten tonight and you can get beaten game-to-game, but this is on watch now. Tonight they were humbled and I think it starts at the coalface.

“You’ve got to challenge your best players to make a difference and Brodie Grundy, that salary cap squeeze we spoke about last year, it’s largely because of contracts like that.

“If you’re going to be a senior player demanding that sort of coin then you’ve got to be the difference. You’ve got to be a marquee player if you’re going to get marquee money.”

Grundy was overpowered by Bulldogs duo Stefan Martin and Tim English, who combined for 29 disposals and two goals in the 16-point victory.

“I was pumped for tonight. The good thing about footy is you get another opportunity,” English told AFL Nation after the game.

“I’ve always been exposed a little bit by Grundy in the past, so to have Stef come into the team and play that ruck role or ruck-forward role and I can chop out really well and it’s seamless.

“The kind of person Stef is, he just wants to make everyone better around him. I’m loving working with him and I’m excited for what we can bring throughout the year.”

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Grundy has played 151 games for Collingwood since making his AFL debut in 2013, kicking 46 goals. He is a two-time All-Australian, achieving the feat in 2018 and 2019.

“If you’ve signed someone for $7 million for seven years, they’ve got to bring something that changes the course of the game. That’s what I want to see. Can he still do that?” King asked on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 earlier this week.

“We know he had a down year last year and the footy world are prepared (to say that was) hub life, let’s turn the page. We’ve got to see it Friday night, we’ve got to start strong and that’s why he’s on the watch list.”

Collingwood will next face Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Thursday evening.