Giants footy member Jimmy Bartel has called for calm after Sydney CEO Tom Harley took offence to a social media stunt from their crosstown rivals.
Last week, the Swans posted a video of star midfielder Isaac Heeney’s “heartfelt” apology to supporters after his attempt to overturn a one-match suspension at the AFL appeals board was unsuccessful.
Making light of the video, the Giants uploaded a parody that featured Toby Greene apologising to fans after copping another fine to add to a long list of penalties.
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While many found the GWS dig hilarious, the Swans were clearly offended.
Harley took a shot at Greene’s impersonation of Heeney.
Toby Greene had a cheeky crack at Isaac Heeney. Getty
“I did see the Giants’ (post). I’m not going to give it any air — pretty low-brow,” Harley said on SEN radio on Saturday.
“Isaac is a champion of our club and a champion of the game, and talk about growing the game — a bloke from Newcastle brought up on rugby league.
“I wouldn’t have done it.”
Now Bartel has had his say on the incident, calling for everyone to let some humour into the league, which is already so intense week-to-week.
“We can all just relax. It’s a bit of fun, a bit of humour,” Bartel said on Nine’s Footy Furnace on Sunday night.
Toby Greene of the Giants. AFL Photos via Getty Images
“No one is disrespecting the amazing work Isaac Heeney has done and his year and he’s been a great ambassador and all that sort of stuff.
“It was funny. They’re good mates, they’re actually business partners, they spend time (together) during the week.
“Everyone can just relax, take a deep breath.
“It was a weird video from Isaac Heeney, it was a bit funny from Toby Greene. Let’s just chill.”
And there’s no bad blood between Bartel and his former two-time Geelong premiership captain Harley.
“Tom didn’t like it, that’s OK. He can choose not to like it,” he said.
Heeney will return from his one-match ban against the Lions at the Gabba in round 19.