Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy has backed polarising Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan’s cheeky social media antics, saying the game should celebrate characters like him.
Ginnivan raised eyebrows when he responded to an Instagram post by Grundy, writing "see u in 14 days", referring to next weekend's preliminary finals before Hawthorn lost to Port Adelaide in their semi-final.
Port coach Ken Hinkley admitted his post-match taunting of Hawks players was fuelled back to what Ginnivan had posted.
Hinkley has since confessed to regret his actions, with the AFL issuing a ‘please explain’.
Grundy said he had no issues with Ginnivan’s comment ahead of the Port-Hawthorn semi.
The two were teammates at Collingwood before both were squeezed out of the squad, with Grundy leaving in 2022 for Melbourne and Ginnivan for Hawthorn, after winning the 2023 premiership.
"Jack, he's a character. 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 in the chat, perhaps maybe I’m a little bit wiser but I love what he brings to our game."
Earning a week off after defeating rivals GWS in a qualifying final, Sydney’s focus will now turn to a home preliminary final against the Power on Friday night.
Grundy, who has returned to managing a full ruck load at the Swans after splitting the role at the Demons last season, says his body is feeling "as good as ever".
"It was good to have a bye leading in to finals and have a bye this week. It's coming at a really good time," Grundy said.
"The role that I play, and I suppose a lot of other players in my position, we like to just shoulder that load and keep keeping on, as they say.
"I’m getting to the point where I do reflect, and I probably haven't done this sort of workload for two seasons now.
"Last year (at Melbourne), I was playing like 60 per cent of games when I was playing in AFL, and half of that was forward, and then the year before, I was injured.
"So from a personal perspective, I’m really pleased that I've been able to be resilient, and play some good footy for the side.
"The body's feeling as good as ever right now."
Asked what has surprised him since moving interstate after one season at Melbourne, the 30-year-old joked: "Probably my tan.
"Seriously though, I think I just feel like I've just loved working with the midfield group.
"I feel like as much as I help them, they help me.
"When I was coming to Sydney and talking to (coach John Longmire) about I’ve already moved once, so I don’t want to move again.
"It was a pretty sort of transparent conversation in terms of the player I am and contested follow-up player, that's sort of how I want to play my footy.
"He’s been really permissive in terms of allowing me to just be that player, and not putting too much expectation on being this all-encompassing superstar."
