He can now add a significant off-field honour to his resume as well.
At La Trobe University’s Gradsfest on Tuesday morning, the Collingwood Football Club star swapped his Magpies guernsey for academic regalia as he was presented with his Bachelor of Health Sciences testamur by La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar (image above).
The 26-year-old has been a member of the La Trobe Elite Athlete Program (LEAP) for the past seven years and has proven to be an exceptional ambassador for the program throughout the duration of his degree.
After making his AFL debut in 2013, the Magpies ruckman has become one of the stars of the competition as a two-time All Australian and winning the Copeland Trophy as Collingwood’s best-and-fairest in both 2018 and 2019.
A long-time advocate for maintaining a balanced lifestyle away from the football field, Grundy has deftly balanced his tertiary studies alongside the demands of being a professional athlete with great effect.
"For me, it (my degree) almost eclipses my football,” Grundy told AFL Media in a wide-ranging interview earlier this year.
“I hold it in high regard. I have always wanted to do things and be something more than just a footballer. When I look back, I feel I am a balanced person, and that I have a bit of perspective.
"Coming to Melbourne, I have been mentored in having things outside football, and I have always wanted to be known as something more than just a ruckman for Collingwood.
"That is awesome (playing football), I love it, an honour, a feather in my cap, and I am really proud of that, but I am going to be a human being much longer past this playing career, as a Collingwood player, so I have to develop other aspects of my life and doing things like study is a part of that."
With a Health Sciences degree now under his belt, Grundy has undoubtedly set himself up to achieve great things on and off the footy field, whatever his future endeavours may hold.
For more information on the La Trobe Elite Athlete Program, head to the La Trobe Sport website.
