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Jason Dunstall smacks down Tom Harley after Sydney Swans boss' crack at Toby Greene

The Swans and the Giants have taken subtle cracks at each other.

Hawthorn great Jason Dunstall has taken a swipe at the Sydney Swans after comments made about the GWS video of Toby Greene taking a cheeky dig at Isaac Heeney. Fans are fully aware of the GWS Giants' social media antics with the AFL club often winning over supporters with their tongue-in-cheek content.

But the Swans took exception to one of their recent videos directed at superstar Heeney after he found out he would be ineligible for the Brownlow Medal. Heeney addressed Swans fans in a video last week after finding out he would cop a one-game ban. This meant he would miss the game against North Melbourne, which subsequently meant he would no longer be in the race for the Brownlow Medal.

The Swans hit back at the GWS Giants after Toby Greene (pictured left) appeared to take a cheeky dig at Sydney over Isaac Heeney's (pictured right) post after his suspension was confirmed. (Images: @GWSGIANTS/Getty Images)
The Swans hit back at the GWS Giants after Toby Greene (pictured left) appeared to take a cheeky dig at Sydney over Isaac Heeney's (pictured right) post after his suspension was confirmed. (Images: @GWSGIANTS/Getty Images)

The Giants opted to copy the format of the Swans video - in a cheeky swipe at the club - in a mock apology to fans. The video featuring captain Greene had the Giants leader addressing fans after he received a fine. The tongue-in-cheek video has garnered more than 870,000 views and provided plenty of fans with a laugh.

However, Swans chief executive Tom Harley hit out at the video appearing to mock Heeney and the Swans for their planned apology. “I did see the Giants’ (post). I’m not going to give it any air — pretty low-brow,” he told SEN Radio on Saturday.

And while the Swans boss wasn't impressed, Hawthorn legend Dunstall hit back at the response and claimed the Giants were adding to the rivalry with the funny video. “Well, as we all know, I’m not a social media afficionado,” Dunstall said on Saturday after the Swans game. “But I would suggest that Tom Harley’s being a little bit precious. That, to me, seemed quite humorous, and just taking the mickey.

"We know there’s a hell of a lot worse on social media than just a little bit of fun and games like that. I think it’s great that the two teams are poking fun at each other; it builds up this rivalry that increases the game.

“Tom Harley said something about ‘grow the game’ — well that, to me, is growing it, by building that rivalry.” And Dunstall wasn't the only one who found the video a good bit of marketing from the Giants. David King agreed and said the video was a bit of fun for the fans.

“It shows, to me, that Tom Harley is spending too much time with John Longmire,” King added. “It’s just a little bit of fun — we’re in the entertainment industry, let’s just laugh it off and move on.”

Isaac Heeney runs.
Isaac Heeney (pictured) is no longer eligible to win the Brownlow Medal after being banned for one game.

With the video getting plenty of attention in the AFL world, Dunstall called for the Swans to ignore the post and silence their Sydney rivals in the best way. “It wasn’t offensive, it wasn’t disrespectful, there was no bad language — there was nothing wrong with it,” he added. “Get over yourselves, Sydney. Just go back and win the flag — that’s the best answer.”

Swans CEO Tom Harley looks on.
Swans CEO Tom Harley (pictured) was not impressed with the GWS Giants' social media post.

Following the ruling last week, the Swans uploaded a video of Heeney thanking the club and its supporters in the wake of his failed appeal, with the Brownlow Medal favourite now ineligible for footy's highest individual award.

"I'm obviously extremely disappointed with that result," Heeney said in a video statement released by the club. "It's pretty shattering, to be honest. "I can guarantee one thing - that when I'm back I'll make sure that I do this club proud, the supporters proud and my family proud. It starts this weekend. I obviously won't be on the footy field but I'll be there to support the boys and the coaching staff and the staff at the club here. Then obviously I want to flow on from that and make sure this year's a special one."

Despite the frustration for the Swans, they bounced back with a huge 79-point thrashing of North Melbourne. The Swans still sit atop of the AFL ladder with John Longmuire's men now 12- points in front of Carlton.