Neale thanks Ginnivan with rare wine after grand final reprieve
Neale bought Ginnivan an exclusive Will Ashcroft pinot noir worth $45 after Ginnivan's testimony helped overturn his grand final ban.
Lachie Neale was set to miss Brisbane's grand final after being suspended for striking Jack Ginnivan in the preliminary final. At the tribunal, Neale used Ginnivan as part of his testimony, saying Ginnivan confirmed the contact was a body check rather than a swinging arm.
Brisbane appealed, the ban was downgraded, and Neale played in his third premiership win. A month later, Neale revealed he'd bought Ginnivan an exclusive bottle of Will Ashcroft's Mr September pinot noir.
It's a limited release now sold out. On a podcast with both players, Ginnivan joked it could have cost more.
Neale spoke like a sommelier: the wine needed time to age and would be beautiful in about six months.
- 45 dollars
- Wine gift value
- Will Ashcroft Mr September pinot noir
- Wine type
- Limited release, now sold out
- Wine status
- 23 years old
- Ginnivan's age
Why it mattersThe story captures the odd friendships forged in high-stakes sport and the gratitude that transcends on-field conflict.
AustraliaA moment of AFL folklore that resonates with Australian sports fans watching how players navigate tribunal drama and grand final stakes.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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