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Collingwood coach Craig McRae is hopeful young gun Jack Ginnivan won’t be booed by Sydney Swans supporters again as the sides prepare to face off in a preliminary final.
Ginnivan was jeered by some Swans fans at the SCG during the round 22 encounter at the SCG, which saw the Swans defeat the Pies by 27 points.
Suffering a hamstring injury, Ginnivan was booed as he came to the bench and then again when a shot of him was shown on the big screen.
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“You’d like to think that’s not the case (this time),” McRae said on Thursday.
“I’m not a booer. I’m respectful of people around us and I try to take my daughter to the footy and teach her how to barrack properly; that’s the way I go about it.
“You pay your money and you do what you need to do, but I’m just not a booer.”
Ginnivan this year has kicked 39 goals and thrived on the big stage, but has attracted significant attention from rival clubs.
The 19-year-old admitted earlier this year the negativity towards him from some rival fans had impacted his mental health.
Opposition coach John Longmire, like McRae, was hopeful earlier in the season Ginnivan wouldn’t be booed again.
“It’s not so much a message for our fans, just across the competition. It’s important that we respect all players,” Longmire said after round 22.
“I personally have never gone to the footy and thought about booing, it’s never crossed my radar. Hopefully go to the game and enjoy it for what it is, a great contest.
“I just think it’s important to be mindful and respect all players that go out there and put their best foot forward every week.
“It’s not an easy thing to do, put yourself out there on the biggest stage.”
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