‘He brings eyes to our game’: Grundy backs former teammate Ginnivan
Swans ruckman Brodie Grundy could not have imagined that an innocent celebration photo on Instagram after defeating the Giants would end up providing the catalyst for a post-game war of words between Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley and Hawthorn a week later.
Underneath the photo of Grundy and Isaac Heeney smiling at the SCG, Hawthorn star Jack Ginnivan’s five-word reply for his former Collingwood teammate – “see u in 14 days” – ultimately provided Port Adelaide with sufficient psychological fuel to power their three-point semi-final victory over the Hawks.
After the game, Hinkley made an aeroplane gesture towards the Hawthorn team, referencing Ginnivan’s post implying the Hawks would be jetting to Sydney for the preliminary final, and exchanged words with their captain, James Sicily. Hinkley was yesterday fined $20,000 by the AFL for the comments he directed at Ginnivan.
Speaking last Friday, before the events at Adelaide Oval the next day, Grundy said he believed Ginnivan’s personality is exactly what the AFL needs.
“Jack, he’s a character and he’s an entertainer as well and that’s what I love about him,” Grundy said. “He brings eyes to our game, which I think is cool. As an industry, we want to have personality and I think we should celebrate that.
“I obviously didn’t entertain the chat. Perhaps maybe [I’m] a little bit wiser, but I love what he brings to our game.”
Isaac Heeney and Brodie Grundy celebrate after beating the GiantsCredit: Getty Images
Grundy will now prepare for Friday night’s preliminary final against Port Adelaide – a club he could have joined instead of the Swans.
Grundy’s decision to opt for a fresh start in Sydney this season rather than return to his home town of Adelaide has proved vital in unlocking the full potential of the Swans’ outstanding midfield trio of Heeney, Chad Warner and Errol Gulden.
The ruckman’s work at stoppages and following up after contests has given another dimension to the Swans midfield and the connection between the players has provided Grundy with a new lease of life in the AFL.
“I’ve just loved working with the midfield group. I feel like, as much as I help them, they help me,” Grundy said
“I’ve just formed a really great bond with Errol and Chad and Heens, and I just get so much joy out of seeing them do the things that they do and just helping them, play well and succeed and sharing that just brings me joy.”
Grundy will play his 25th game of the season on Friday – the most he has played since 2018, when he managed 26 games for Collingwood. The victory over the Giants provided Grundy with a much-needed week off to rest his body.
“I probably haven’t done this sort of workload for two seasons now,” Grundy said. “Last year I was playing, like, 60 per cent of games ... and then the year before I was injured. I’m really pleased I’ve been able to be resilient and play some good footy.”