Luke Dennehey: The Grant Hackett I know is smart, charismatic, polite

I GOT that dreaded feeling of déjà vu again yesterday, when news broke of Grant Hackett being arrested, writes Confidential reporter Luke Dennehy.

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TALKING to Grant Hackett last July at the Prime Minister’s fancy black-tie Olympic dinner in Melbourne, I got a sense of déjà vu.

Hackett, as he always has been to me, was very open on the red carpet after another tough time.

A few months earlier in April, just as it appeared he had redeemed himself and was set for a high-profile commentary gig with Channel 7, he had a midair meltdown after he drunkenly groped another passenger.

I remember hearing the news and thinking, with the world at his feet, how could this happen ... again?

Grant Hackett spoke to Luke at the Prime Minister’s Olympic dinner last year. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Before the Olympic dinner, Hackett faced the media knowing the questions we were going to ask, when he didn’t have to.

It was the old Hackett that we all knew.

“For me I’m just trying to move on with my life,” Hackett told me.

“It was ... heartbreaking, and it was heartbreaking for my family as well.

“That’s what I find really difficult, when you see them going through that hurt with you.

“I’ve just been able to put it behind me, I’ve moved on with my life in a very positive manner, and that’s all you can do.”

Former Australian Olympic swimmer Grant Hackett leaves the police watchhouse. Picture: Jerad Williams

Former Olympian Grant Hackett pictured after being arrested in the Gold Coast. Picture: Seven News

Just before the Rio Olympics we chatted again, this time he spoke how happy he was in life with his new partner, Maggie Keating.

“I’m very lucky to have a supportive partner, who is very supporting and understanding with everything with my life.

“Life is pretty good at the moment, I certainly don’t have any complaints.”

Grant with Maggie Keating. Picture: Instagram

“I’m very lucky to have a supportive partner,” Grant said of Maggie Keating. Picture: Facebook

I got that dreaded feeling of déjà vu again yesterday, when news broke of Hackett being arrested after a bizarre incident at his parents house, unshaven an appearing scruffy and handcuffed.

It was also a sense of sadness, a once proud Olympic champion, television presenter and national hero, having another fall from grace.

Anyone in the media will tell you, and in swimming, that when Grant Hackett was sober and together, he was very likeable.

For me, as I said before, he has always been very open, a sports star who has a considered opinion, smart, charismatic, switched on, polite, the list goes on.

Olympic champion Grant Hackett after his comeback swim in April, 2015. Picture: AFP

In my mind there is no better swimming commentator in the country, especially when he works alongside his former team mate, Giaan Rooney.

He is someone in the public eye you could actually see yourself enjoying having dinner with.

So when his brother, Craig, and father, Nev, fronted the media saying they didn’t know this Grant Hackett as their son, it struck a chord.

“He’s a danger to himself,” Craig said.

“He’s a danger to the community.

“The Grant Hackett that Australia fell in love with, they can still have that affection towards him.

“This is not Grant Hackett. This is a completely different person. I don’t know this person, my mum and dad don’t know this person.

“He’s there in body, but he’s not there in mind, soul or spirit.”

Those words “this is not Grant Hackett” are what resonated, because it’s not the Hackett I know either.

His father and brother would not have faced the media, unless they really wanted to get the point across and have reached the end of the line.

Whether it’s drug or alcohol abuse, or mental health issues, it’s obvious there is something going on with him.

Let’s hope, if there is anything that comes from appearing to hit rock bottom, he lifts and gets the help — once and for all — and gets his life back on track.

I don’t want to feel that awful sense of déjà vu when it comes to Hackett again.