Brodie Grundy has always been a footballer with ample perspective beyond the AFL bubble – and his decision to delay his mega contract announcement proves that.

Grundy and the Pies on Friday announced he'd signed a seven-year contract extension, tying him to the club until the end of 2027.

But when speaking with reporters, Grundy also confirmed he'd made up his mind several weeks ago yet held back the public announcement due to the horrific Australian summer bushfires.

While Grundy understood his new deal was a significant development in the footy landscape, it was grandly insignificant compared to what Australians caught up in the fire crisis were experiencing.

Round 18

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Foxfooty.com.au understands Grundy and the Pies initially planned to release details of his new contract just after the Pies returned for 2020 pre-season training. But upon seeing the devastating images, Grundy said the timing was unideal and recommended the announcement be postponed.

"Everyone's been on holidays and enjoying themselves. (But) obviously there's been significant stuff that's going on in our country at the moment that has been far more important and pressing than this. So I didn't want to take any light away from that," Grundy told reporters.

Grundy ventured overseas late last year for a holiday. He reflected on his career and what the future should look like – and it was there he decided his future was black and white.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley was the first person at the club Grundy told before Christmas. The conversation occurred at Buckley’s house … over a humble toasted sandwich.

Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy went on holiday in Peru. Source: Supplied

"I sort of pulled him up and said: 'What's up? What are you doing? Can I come round? I just want to have a chat.' Then he made me a couple of ham and cheese sandwiches and we went out the back and I just said I was staying – and he was like, 'good'," Grundy said with a laugh.

"Nah we obviously had a bit of a chat and spoke about my role at the club and what I can bring and my next evolution as a player and a person for the footy club. It was a really good and he's a really great mentor – one of the big reasons why I've signed on."

But prior to his holiday, Grundy had given himself ample time to weigh up his footy future – and the longer he remained undecided, the more trade and free agency chatter it generated.

He said he gave "pretty big" consideration to the possibility of returning home to South Australia, but added he never spoke to a rival club formally.

"Throughout the year, I did take my time to explore the possibilities of what that would look like. But at the end of the day, it always came back to staying at the club.

"It's overwhelming, but largely just a really proud moment for myself and obviously my family as well.

"As I've gotten older, family has become more important to me. My partner's from Adelaide as well, she's a massive priority in my life as well, so a few delicate things outside of where you enjoy playing football as well. I know my mum will be watching. She misses me, she wishes I was home, so I'm sorry Mum.

"But at the end of the day, we've built a family here and a home here."

Grundy said the seven-year tenure did take some time to agree on and was "pretty important" to his decision. He said he was confident he would still be playing strong footy at the end of the contract where he'd be around 32 years old.

"I think I prepare really well, it's probably one of my strengths. I haven't missed a game really since I've started playing consistent footy.

"I'm only 25, turning 26 this year, so I feel a large part my best footy is still ahead of me."

Brodie Grundy addressing reporters after his contract announcement. Picture: Darrian Traynor Source: Getty Images

Grundy's Pies have lost a Grand Final and a preliminary final in the past two seasons, leaving the playing group with a burning desire to win a flag.

AFL clubs, both publicly and privately, can often be hesitant to declare they want to play on the last day of September. But Grundy said Buckley had encouraged Collingwood players to dream and for the ultimate goal to be a real focus.

"We want to get back to the big dance, as everybody's goal is. It sounds silly to say that but we've probably been a bit more ambitious and not shying away from the fact that is our No. 1 reason why we're at this footy club," Grundy said.

"Bucks set that tone the first day back, 'let's not shy away from it'. And probably just trying to start games really quickly. So all the training that we're doing and pre-season has had a bit of a fast start mentality."