Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield has defended Jack Ginnivan’s controversial technique to draw a high free kick.
The Collingwood young gun has received 17 free kicks for high contact this season and he was again in the spotlight during last weekend’s win over North Melbourne.
Ginnivan received two free kicks for high contact against the Kangaroos, but was also pinged for holding the ball despite being grabbed around the neck.
“I think it was the second tackle that was paid as holding the ball, I found that an interesting call,” Dangerfield told SEN’s Whateley.
“It was a high tackle. I don’t think we should be officiating different players based on the way they play.
“That was still a high tackle.”
Subscribe to the SEN YouTube channel for the latest videos!
Dangerfield doesn’t think the polarising Magpie needs to change his style, saying it’s up to the opposition to adjust.
“I don’t subscribe that he needs to change the way that he plays, not at all,” the Brownlow Medallist said.
“I think he’s a wonderful young player. I don’t see him ducking into tackles, he drops his knees.
“As a player playing against him, you’ve got to be aware of the way that he plays, and you’ve got to go lower and harder.
“It’s pretty simple. He’s got a technique that really works.
“I don’t subscribe to the theory that he has to change the way that he plays. We’ve just got to be aware of it as an opposition player.”
Ginnivan, 19, has kicked 28 goals at an average of two per game in 2022.