Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale has sent a tongue-in-cheek message to Hawks gun Jack Ginnivan on social media, after Neale was controversially allowed to play in the grand final despite hitting Ginnivan off the ball in the preliminary final.
Neale was initially handed a one-game suspension for the gut punch on Ginnivan, in line with nine other players who were cited for similar incidents throughout the year.
But during an appeals hearing on Thursday evening, it was decided Neale could play in the grand final under “compelling and exceptional circumstances”, in that the Lions star had a clean suspension record from his 321 games.
Neale went on to play an important role in Brisbane’s stunning come-from-behind victory over Fremantle in the grand final.
Lachie Neale responds to a comment from Jack Ginnivan on his Instagram. (Instagram: @lachieneale)
The dual Brownlow Medallist posted a photo of himself with Brisbane’s three premiership cups on Instagram after the match, which Ginnivan replied to with a cherry emoji, signalling the cherry on top of a brilliant career at the Lions.
Neale then replied, “Hope your tummy OK my guy,” to Ginnivan in reference to the gut punch.
Ginnivan was uninjured in the incident, however the AFL had been cracking down on strikes to the body off the ball throughout the 2026 season.
The grand final, widely considered one of the most entertaining in history, is likely to be Neale’s final game with the Lions.
Having started his career at the Dockers, Neale has spent eight seasons in Brisbane, but looks likely to move to Collingwood next season as a free agent.
“It doesn’t feel real at the moment, but I’m sure it will sink in. I’ve absolutely loved my time at this footy club, they’re an exceptional organisation from top to bottom and I can’t thank them enough,” Neale said after the game.
“It’s been an incredible ride and the best eight years of my life.
“I’m going to miss them very much.”
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