Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was aware star small forward Jack Ginnivan was at a Richmond pub on Thursday night

Social media was set alight by a photo of Jack Ginnivan at a pub on Thursday night – but the truth, and Hawthorn’s knowledge of it, quickly came out.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was aware star small forward Jack Ginnivan was at a Richmond pub with housemates until 9pm on Thursday night in another unusual preparation for a big AFL final.

Ginnivan had dinner with mates at the London Tavern the night before the Hawks’ final against the Western Bulldogs but left at half time and did not drink alcohol.

Hawthorn has made a point of allowing their players to live ordinary lives and express themselves as they see fit.

But given Ginnivan’s night at the races in the hours before the Pies win over Brisbane was roundly criticised, the decision will raise some eyebrows in the football community.

The Hawks made clear on Thursday night coach Sam Mitchell knew his player would be at one of the city’s busiest footy pubs, with Ginnivan drinking soft drink as he watched the Geelong-Port Adelaide clash.

Jack Ginnivan pictured at the pub on Thursday night

In response to reports of his night out, Ginnivan posted on social media about being tucked up in bed well before the end of the Geelong rout of Port Adelaide.

Ginnivan has always enjoyed being a lightning rod for controversy, and believed he had done nothing wrong by watching the Moonee Valley races in a private box before the Grand Final.

But it will put more pressure on him to perform against the Western Bulldogs given most AFL players would be tucked up in bed or away from the public spotlight the night before a final.

Coach Craig McRae said that attending the races the night before a game was not ideal preparation for a game of that magnitude.

“Read the room, Jack. You’ve got to grow up, but you’ve got to make mistakes to learn from them,” he said.

“Jack’s growing up. Is he the youngest player in our team? I think he could be (after Nick Daicos). There’s so much he learns from today, and don’t go to the races the day before is something I’d say.”

Ginnivan has booted 25 goals this year. Picture: Simon Sturzaker/AFL Photos

💤 pic.twitter.com/Ufs4blI2c9

— Jack Ginnivan (@GinnivanJack) September 5, 2024

The 21-year-old has kicked 25.25 in 21 games this season for the Hawks as they take on the Western Bulldogs after a remarkable surge from 0-5 into September.

Ginnivan was upset to leave Collingwood but believed the writing was on the wall after an exit meeting with coach McRae which did not turn out as planned.

“It was a difficult exit meeting to hear. Sort of words of not being humble, which I took to heart a bit because I think I’m a pretty humble person,” Ginnivan said.

“When you hear things like that from your ex-coach, it becomes a bit of writing on the wall.

“It was a pretty short (conversation), about 10 minutes and obviously I didn’t play my best game in the grand final. It was a hard preparation for me, I played one (full) game in five weeks so obviously (he said) things about that I didn’t play that well.

“I thought my preparation couldn’t have been any better, I was just unlucky with three sub-games as well (in the lead into the grand final).”