Collingwood’s Jack Ginnivan avoids sanction as Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield speaks out on crude tackle

Despite Jack Ginnivan being cleared by the AFL of any wrongdoing, Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield had some blunt words for the young Collingwood forward.

Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield has issued a blunt message to Collingwood youngster Jack Ginnivan after the AFL clearing the Magpie of any wrongdoing in last week’s qualifying final.

Issuing his response to Ginnivan’s apparent ‘chicken-wing tackle’, the Brownlow medallist said the Magpies young star would do “something different” if he had his time again.

The AFL on Tuesday said it was “content” that no charge had been laid by the match review officer when the game was reviewed.

The Herald Sun reported Dangerfield had been left fuming by the incident, telling Geelong officials he thought his elbow was in danger of being dislocated.

Footage showed Ginnivan holding Dangerfield’s left arm before the arm was manoeuvred around the back of Dangerfield.

Watch every match prior to the AFL grand final Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Jack Ginnivan has avoided any sanction for his chicken wing tackle on Patrick Dangerfield.

Responding to the incident on Wednesday, Dangerfield said players had a duty of care to protect other players in a “vulnerable position”.

“What I will say, I think it’s important when you are in a vulnerable position as a player, you have got a responsibility to treat players with care,” Dangerfield said on Channel 7.

“And I think if he had his time again, I would like to think he’d do something different.”

In a statement on Tuesday, the AFL said: “The AFL executive general manager of football and match review officer have considered the incident involving Collingwood’s Jack Ginnivan and Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield …. and are content that no charge was laid.

“No further action will be taken.’’

After their victory over the Magpies, Dangerfield and the Cats have a week off to prepare for a preliminary final showdown against the winner of the Melbourne-Brisbane Lions semi-final.

Ginnivan and the Magpies will fight to keep their finals campaign alive in a sudden-death semi-final against Fremantle.

Danger upset, but Ginni avoids ban for ‘chicken wing’ tackle

– Mark Robinson

Jack Ginnivan has been cleared by the AFL for any wrongdoing in an incident which left Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield fuming.

The AFL on Tuesday said it was “content’’ that no charge was laid by the match review officer when the game was reviewed.

It’s understood Dangerfield is bewildered and disappointed by the AFL’s decision.

Dangerfield told Cats officials he thought his elbow was in danger of being dislocated in the incident with the Collingwood small forward.

Footage showed Ginnivan holding Dangerfield’s left arm before the arm was manoeuvred around the back of Dangerfield.

The Herald Sun revealed new footage of the incident on Monday, which the AFL reviewed on Tuesday.

It’s not known if that was the first time the AFL had viewed the incident from down the ground footage.

In a statement on Tuesday, the AFL said: “The AFL executive general manager of football and match review officer have considered the incident involving Collingwood’s Jack Ginnivan and Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield …. and are content that no charge was laid.

“No further action will be taken.’’

In a Herald Sun poll, 54 per cent of people said Ginnivan should’ve been suspended, 14 per cent said he should’ve been fined and 32 per cent of people voted that “there was nothing in it’’.

AFL great Dermott Brereton told the Herald Sun that Ginnivan’s actions were “purely designed to hurt him (Dangerfield)”.

Dangerfield was furious after the incident, was furious when he went to the bench moments later, and after the game reported the incident, and possible injury, to club officials.

He told club officials he had been on the receiving end of a chicken wing tackle.

Geelong Head of Football Simon Lloyd said on Monday night: “It is the MRO’s role to investigate anything they deem outside the rules. We will continue to leave this area of the game in the AFL’s hands.”

Brereton, who was sitting at ground level, said he was witness to events.

“I was at ground level and I thought, ‘I’m going to watch nothing but Ginnivan for 10 minutes’,’’ Brereton said.

“I saw it and had I been a teammate I would’ve been incensed by it.

“It had nothing to do with playing our sport. It wasn’t a spur of the moment, it was something designed to hurt somebody when play was dead.

“And I’ve done those things, and I’ve copped my whack for them, but the game has moved on from my era.’’

Robbo: Ginni-wing leaves Danger fuming

—Mark Robinson

Jack Ginnivan might have some explaining to do next time he runs into Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield.

There may be a misunderstanding, because tackles pinning an arm can sometimes slip into a “chicken wing’’ tackle, and that’s why Dangerfield might politely ask the rascal-ish Collingwood small forward what happened.

WATCH THE VISION IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

AFL great Dermott Brereton wasn’t so accommodating.

“It was purely designed to hurt him,’’ Brereton said.

Dangerfield was furious after the incident, was furious when he went to the bench moments later, and after the game reported the incident, and possible injury, to club officials.

Dangerfield’s anger stemmed from his belief his elbow was about to be dislocated by Ginnivan.

Patrick Dangerfield is tackled by Taylor Adams and Jack Ginnivan. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

A close-up of the incident. Picture: Supplied

The incident took place in the first quarter in the Pies’ forward pocket area, with Collingwood leading 8-1.

Magpie Beau McCreery had the ball and lost it when tackled by Geelong’s Tom Stewart.

Dangerfield gathered the loose ball, fell to his knees, and then fell on to his chest while still clutching the ball. He had Ginnivan on his left side before Taylor Adams came from behind and tackled him.

That’s when Ginnivan allegedly “chicken winged’’ the Cats champ.

Dangerfield can be seen wincing in pain.

The incident shown on TV does not capture Ginnivan’s action but exclusive vision from a different angle obtained by the Herald Sun shows what took place.

Geelong Head of Football Simon Lloyd on Monday night said: “It is the MRO’s role to investigate anything they deem outside the rules. We will continue to leave this area of the game in the AFL’s hands.”

Collingwood has been contacted for comment.

Brereton, who was sitting at ground level, said he was witness to events.

“I was at ground level and I thought, ‘I’m going to watch nothing but Ginnivan for 10 minutes’,’’ Brereton said.

“I saw it and had I been a teammate I would’ve been incensed by it.

“It had nothing to do with playing our sport. It wasn’t a spur of the moment, it was something designed to hurt somebody when play was dead.

“And I’ve done those things, and I’ve copped my whack for them, but the game has moved on from my era.

“One thing I would say about myself and the way I see the game now, if you want to catch a poacher, hire a poacher to catch him.’’

Originally published as Collingwood’s Jack Ginnivan avoids sanction as Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield speaks out on crude tackle