Neale jokes with Ginnivan online after controversial grand-final suspension

Brisbane Lions midfielder Lachie Neale has traded a joke with Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan after Brisbane’s AFL grand-final victory. Neale posted a photograph of himself with Brisbane’s three premiership cups. Ginnivan commented with a cherry emoji, apparently referring to the finish to Neale’s successful career with the Lions.

Neale replied: “Hope your tummy OK my guy,” referring to the incident in which he struck Ginnivan in the stomach during the preliminary final. Neale had initially received a one-match suspension, in line with other players cited for similar off-the-ball incidents during the season. An appeals hearing later allowed him to play in the grand final, citing “compelling and exceptional circumstances” and his clean suspension record across 321 games.

He went on to play an important role in Brisbane’s comeback win over Fremantle. Ginnivan was not injured in the incident, although the league had been taking a stricter approach to off-the-ball strikes during the season. The grand final is expected to be Neale’s last game for Brisbane.

The dual Brownlow Medallist began his career at Fremantle and has spent eight seasons with the Lions, but is likely to move to Collingwood as a free agent next season. After the match, Neale said he had loved his time at Brisbane and described the club as an exceptional organisation. The Instagram exchange added a light note to a controversy that had dominated the build-up to the final.