Quick Kicks: Jack Ginnivan-style preparation, big requests and awkward lattes

There’s a Jack Ginnivan-style GF preparation, a player not settling for less than 2k a game, a QR code to individual highlights and two big AFL names linked to local footy. It’s all here in Quick Kicks.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Jack Ginnivan of the Hawks celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Second Elimination Final match between the Western Bulldogs and the Hawthorn Hawks at The Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 06, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

It’s arguably the best time of the local footy year.

There’s premierships being won and lost, there’s recruitment meetings happening everywhere and there’s stacks of Silly Sunday shenanigans.

Unpack it all here, in the wonderful world of Quick Kicks ...

WAIT ON!

Springvale Districts’ Open Grade premiership side was in fine form on Mordialloc’s balcony on Sunday. There were no shortage of one-liners from the victors who were watching their twos play. The best came from one supporter who wasn’t willing to rule the Demons out of the reserves premiership race despite a heavy loss to Cheltenham. “We’re not out of it yet, we’ll find out on Wednesday!” he yelled. He was of course referring to the Dees’ call up to the semi-final after their opposition the week before was sanctioned for fielding two ineligible players.

Springvale Districts was in form on Saturday ... and Sunday!

IT’S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW, IT’S WHO.

There’s a club deep into September a bit unhappy with the luxurious treatment their opponent is getting from some higher-ups. Apparently it has to do with their access to the ‘neutral’ finals venue. We’re told it’s being used as a bit of motivation, we’ll see if it sparks some silverware.

$1999 IS UNDERS

A prospective recruit showed an unseen level of confidence in a recent meeting with a rival club. For starters, the local player showed up to the meeting with his ‘player agent’. The player himself was saying all the right things alongside his silent manager until it was time to discuss finances. The player was rather shy about his worth but that’s when the so-called manager found voice. He said he’d scanned the pool and thought they’d be underselling his client with a match payment that wasn’t four figures and didn’t start with a two. Oh, and a job and sign on bonus was also essential.

Nick Connellan. Picture: AAP/ Chris Eastman

SCAN THIS!

News out of Edithvale-Aspendale’s premiership celebrations...

Most players put some effort into their Mad Monday outfits — Ty Vickery caught the eye in Where’s Wally attire — although Eagles reserves stalwart Nick Connellan clearly didn’t have time to shop for a costume.

He was still in his playing strip, including footy boots, having remained unchanged (and un-showered) for two days.

Connellan, though, was more than willing to pull off one boot and show the barcode inside to his teammates, insisting that if you scanned it, his highlights from the match would come up.

Some actually believed him!

EVERGREEN

Connellan, by the way, won the MPFNL Division 1 reserves league goal kicking this season, slotting 46 majors in 11 matches — not bad for a 40-year-old coming off a full hip replacement.

Is Liam Shiels local footy bound? (Photo by Steve Bell/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

FORMER HAWK TO RETURN EAST? 

Word around the traps is some Eastern league clubs are in hot pursuit of recently retired triple Hawthorn premiership star Liam Shiels for next season. The midfielder hung up the boots in August after a 16-year AFL career which took in 288 games across the Hawks and North Melbourne, and hails from the east having come through the Eastern Ranges before his selection at No. 34 in the 2008 national draft.

PICKETT’S BIG OFFERS

It’s no surprise retired Richmond premiership star Marlion Pickett is attracting plenty of interest from across local footy, metropolitan and country. Big offers are flowing in for the 32-year-old. However, perhaps a pair of clubs have the biggest chance if money isn’t a factor. Pickett’s son plays for Park Orchards in the Yarra Junior league, which has a senior club in the Eastern league. Meanwhile, his brother plays for Fitzroy Stars in the Northern league. Tyson is a VFL-listed star at Northern Bullants and was a part of the Stars team that lost the Division 3 grand final on Saturday. Pickett is obviously keen to play local footy, having already signed up to play in Darwin.

Jack Ginnivan is inspiring local footballers. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

GINNIVAN-STYLE PREPARATION

Nerves can run wild in the lead-up to a grand final, with some players wound up like coiled springs.

At Dromana, which is preparing for Sunday’s MPFNL Division 1 flag decider against Mt Eliza, the chilled-out attitudes of Ethan Johnstone and Jordan Andrews have been helping to lighten the mood.

Their preparations could even resemble that of Jack Ginnivan, according to Tigers coach Ben Holmes.

“They’ll still probably have a beer on a Thursday night and just relax,’’ Holmes said.

CAN I GET A LARGE LATTE EXTRA AWKWARD?

A star player and opposition coach made the rookie mistake of having a meeting at a popular local café at the weekend. The player arrived first and parked himself at a table. The problem was, his current coach walked through the door next. When he came over to speak to his gun midfielder, the recruiting coach popped his head through and created an awkward moment. Luckily the current coach has a good sense of humour and made light of the situation: “He’s a sh*t trainer” we’re told he joked on his way out.