Fox Footy pundits don’t have a problem with Hawks young gun Jack Ginnivan’s night out at the pub before Friday night’s elimination final, but have noted it “looks poor.”
SEN’s Sam Edmund reported Ginnivan spent the night before the Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs’ knockout match at the London
Tavern in Richmond.
The 21-year old was reportedly home by 9pm and Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was believed to have been aware of his plans in advance.
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It came after Ginnivan infamously spent the night before Collingwood’s Grand Final triumph last year at the Moonee Valley races — he was home by 10pm and “on the waters” — drawing some level of criticism both internally and externally.
“More unique preparation for a unique player,” Edmund tweeted on Thursday night.
“Jack Ginnivan out at Richmond’s London Tavern until just before 9pm tonight on the eve of Hawthorn’s elimination final – 12 months after his GF eve trip to the races divided opinion.
“He’s sticking to the routine, anyway.”
Ginnivan, who is always happy to share his opinion, then cheekily replied to Edmund’s 2023 tweet about going to the races with a photo seemingly inside his apartment with a cup of tea and a candle on a bench.
Speaking on Fox Footy on Thursday night, Hawks champion Jason Dunstall had no major issue with Ginnivan’s antics “so long as he’s not drinking”.
“I guess people prepare for games in different ways,” Dunstall said.
“I think you’re taking risks, but it’s a very different game and the younger generation are different people.
“The one thing that will make me uncomfortable is if you go out and have a stinker after that. It just throws fuel on the fire.
“We don’t know the ins and outs, we don’t know all the conversations that have been had. We’re told Mitchell was aware of it but we don’t know what’s been said between people. We’d be guessing.”
Kangaroos legend David King echoed Dunstall’s sentiments that it was symbolic of the younger generation, but did think it was an odd move giving last year’s slip up that ultimately led to his departure from Collingwood.
“Dinner out and left at half-time by all reports, I don’t have a massive problem with it,” he said.
“It just looks poor that he hasn’t learned from a previous mistake. But if it’s just dinner and a soft drink or two then home at half-time, there’s no harm there.
“It’s hard to let them be themselves game day with the carry on, the photos and the celebrations then stop them in other walks of their life and week.”
Saints great Leigh Montagna added: “I wouldn’t have done it personally, but we’re embracing this younger generation doing things their own way and doing things differently.
“If that’s his preparation, I don’t have a massive problem with it … ideally you’d like to think he’s at home with 95 per cent of the other players playing this weekend, but some kids are different.”
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