Collingwood premiership star Jack Ginnivan has bid farewell to the Magpies in his own unique style, describing his time at the club as a “f**king ride”.
The 20-year-old Ginnivan was officially traded to Hawthorn on Wednesday, just days after the Pies landed Freo’s Lachie Schultz and details of his “strained” relationship with the club were revealed.
The Hawks, who Ginnivan supported as a child, were rapt to secure the small forward and Pick 39 in exchange for Pick 33, plus a couple of future pick swaps.
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“We couldn’t be happier that Jack wanted to come to Hawthorn – a club he’s loved since he was a kid,” Hawks’ list boss Mark McKenzie said.
“Having just won a premiership at 20 years of age, we believe he’s only scratched the surface of his potential, and we can’t wait to see just how high he can elevate his game at Hawthorn in the years to come.”
Ginnivan requests shock Hawks trade! | 00:24
But not everyone agreed a move to the lowly Hawks was the right call for Ginnivan at just 20 years of age.
Former GWS skipper Phil Davis said he could “empathise” with the youngster given he believes Ginnivan would have been affected by “hurtful” rumours of his place in the side.
“You feel like you have this breakout year (Ginnivan in 2022), they go and get someone similar in Bobby Hill,” Davis explained on AFL Trade Radio.
“He was out of the team for a while there. Then they get Lachie Schultz – he is the biggest name probably this trade period. I reckon (Jack) would feel like, ‘oh another person comes in’.”
But Davis said he would have liked to see Ginnivan stay and fight for his spot – despite SEN’s Sam Edmund believing the relationship between the youngster and the club “wasn’t exactly rosy” by the time the trade request landed.
“I get the feeling when you’re young there’s this urgency to always guarantee games, guarantee contracts … I find it a little bit strange just because (Collingwood) had no injuries in that front half all year. For me, it’s just like, you’re in the premiership team,” Davis said.
Adelaide’s McAdam secures Dees deal | 00:23
“That’s the footy that really, really matters – that’s the footy that we all want to play in.
“To feel as though you are right in the window … I would have thought potentially he just stays.
“All it takes is a Bobby Hill, (Jamie) Elliott or (Beau) McCreery to roll an ankle and miss four weeks and you’re definitely in. You should back in you’re going to improve and maybe just claim that spot and kick out McCreery, take Bobby’s spot again.
“Now he’s going to the other end of the ladder – I’ve been there. That is a very different experience. That’s a very difficult experience.”
Edmund explained Ginnivan’s pre-grand final Moonee Valley visit – which drew the ire of coach Craig McRae – was the “final straw”.
“We heard the coach say publicly twice that maybe wasn’t the decision he would want his players to make – privately we’re told he was even stronger with Jack Ginnivan. And then he doubles down Jack and becomes the ambassador at Moonee Valley as well,” Edmund laughed.
“Things got a little bit strained at the end.
“How unhappy are Collingwood that he goes? Maybe not that unhappy.”
King returns to Cats as assistant coach | 00:32
Ginnivan, who wiped his Instagram page clean only hours after posting he was “locked in” while training at the Magpies’ base, used the social media platform to bid farewell to the Pies on Wednesday.
“What a f**king ride, thankyou everyone that made it elite. OTTN,” he posted.
Pies footy boss Graham Wright denied claims the club pushed Ginnivan “out the door” and confirmed the deal moved quickly – admitting it took just 24 hours for the trade to be finalised.
Wright said he “hadn’t heard anything” about Ginnivan wanting out when he checked in 1.30pm on Tuesday – but by 3pm on Wednesday, Ginnivan was a Hawk after informing both the club and McRae of his decision to pursue a future with Hawthorn.
And Wright said the club found out Ginnivan met with Hawthorn through the Hawks’ list boss late on Tuesday.
“It was Jack’s decision to look elsewhere,” he said, denying the club had ever shopped the youngster around.
“We don’t take it personally.”
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