New Sydney Swans recruit Taylor Adams has opened up on the pain of missing out on Collingwood's 2023 premiership, as teammate Brodie Grundy admits his third move hasn't been easy but is worth it.
Adams missed out on the Magpies' four-point grand final victory over Brisbane due to a hamstring injury sustained on the eve of the finals, before being traded north.
He described the "heartbreak" he felt after missing out of the elusive glory, now using it as a driving force to help the Swans reach the pinnacle in 2024.
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"I don't think I'll ever fully get over that," Adams said during Sydney training on Monday.
"It's not just me, it's my family, my support network, people at the footy club who put so much time and effort in and then you fall one hurdle short.
"It's heartbreaking, and it was so bittersweet because there were so many people at the footy club who I've been side by side with for so many years who I knew deserved it, and I was extremely happy for them."
Meantime, Adams has reunited with old Collingwood teammate Grundy, who also made the move to the Swans after a breakdown and failed campaign at Melbourne.
"I am really thankful and really blessed that there was that interest there (from Sydney). I just felt such a strong alignment here with the Sydney Swans," Grundy said on Monday.
"Look, it was tough (leaving Melbourne). But I've used these periods of adversity to really grow as a person."
Despite the breakdown that saw Grundy axed from Melbourne's senior side and sent to the VFL to hone his craft as a forward, he says he'll use it as motivation to revive his career in 2024 and beyond.
"No hard feelings there (for Melbourne), but looking forward to clashing with them in round one.
"In my heart I am competitor and I'm looking forward to bringing that."
The Swans face Melbourne at the SCG in the AFL's inaugural Opening Round fixture, seeing eight sides face off across NSW and Queensland.
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