AFL Trade 2023: Hawthorn making late play for Collingwood forward Jack Ginnivan

While Collingwood said it was Ginnivan who wanted to explore a trade, the premiership forward felt like he was being shopped around and is now considering a future at Hawthorn.

Collingwood forward Jack Ginnivan feared he was being shopped around to rival clubs when he began to consider a future at Hawthorn.

The Magpies began talks with the Hawks on Tuesday over a deal to send the goal kicker to Waverley for a second or third-round draft pick.

While Collingwood said it was Ginnivan who wanted to explore a trade, the premiership forward felt like he was being shopped around.

Rival clubs contacted Ginnivan’s manager, John Meesen from Kapital Sports, in recent days in the belief the Magpies were open to trading him out.

It means he could follow a similar path to Brodie Grundy, Jaidyn Stephenson and Adam Treloar, who were all punted from Collingwood in recent seasons.

Jack Ginnivan looks to be on his way out of Collingwood. Picture: Michael Klein

The ruthless strategy was seen as a trump card in the Pies’ remarkable premiership win this year.

The Ginnivan bombshell on Tuesday followed Collingwood’s big move on Monday to bring in Fremantle small forward Lachie Schultz only one year after landing GWS Giant Bobby Hill.

Hill has already paid off in spectacular fashion for Collingwood winning the Norm Smith Medal, while Schultz is expected to slot straight into the forward line after two excellent seasons in the west.

But Ginnivan was rattled by approaches from rival clubs including Hawthorn in recent days which gave the 20-year-old the impression he was being shopped.

Ginnivan sought clarity from the Magpies over the past 48 hours about his position at Collingwood and felt like he received only a lukewarm response.

Collingwood did not say it wanted to trade Ginnivan, but talks behind the scenes left some doubt over whether he was truly wanted in black and white.

Jack Ginnivan’s post to Instagram on Tuesday night that he deleted soon after.

Hawthorn’s interest strengthened on Tuesday after meeting with Ginnivan.

Coach Sam Mitchell is keen to add the Castlemaine product to the forward half in a bid to maximise his creativity, flair and goal scoring power.

At Hawthorn Ginnivan would replace Tyler Brockman, who was traded to West Coast.

Luke Breust could also be in his final season, while Chad Wingard will miss the early part of the season due to an Achilles injury.

The Hawks are confident the rookie pick will fit in well to the club’s system, while Ginnivan would have a fight on his hands to stay in the senior side at Collingwood.

The 185cm goal kicker enjoyed a positive exit meeting with Collingwood coaches where he was told he had to improve his fitness.

It followed an awkward situation on grand final eve where Ginnivan went to the Moonee Valley races to watch a friend’s horse the night before the biggest game of his life.

Hawthorn is expected to offer Ginnivan a three-year deal if the clubs can agree to a trade to secure his fresh start after three seasons, 42 games and 58 goals at Collingwood.

Originally published as AFL Trade 2023: Hawthorn making late play for Collingwood forward Jack Ginnivan