Jack Ginnivan praised for ‘block of the season’ in Collingwood’s thrilling win over Carlton

Collingwood youngster Jack Ginnivan has been lauded for a selfless play that set up the matchwinning goal for the Pies over Carlton.

Jack Ginnivan cleared the way for Jamie Elliott.

Collingwood youngster Jack Ginnivan has been praised for his selfless role in setting up the matchwinning goal in the Magpies’ thrilling one-point win over Carlton on Sunday.

The Magpies trailed for most of the second half but in typical fashion, made a late surge in the fourth quarter — kicking five goals while Carlton could only manage six behinds.

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Surging up the field, Scott Pendlebury kicked towards Ginnivan on the half forward flank and instead of going for the ball, he let it bounce over his head and put a block on Blues defender Adam Saad.

That gave his Collingwood teammate Jamie Elliott enough space to collect the ball and nail the goal with less than two minutes remaining.

Elliott leapt into Ginnivan’s arms after kicking the goal, which sealed an epic 11.9 (75) to 10.14 (74) win that sent AFL fans berserk.

Jack Ginnivan cleared the way for Jamie Elliott.

After the game, Elliott paid tribute to Ginnivan for helping set up the match-deciding goal.

“To be honest, That last play, ‘Ginni’, to be able to box out his man — it (the goal) doesn’t happen without the other boys,” he told Channel 7.

“I’m just on the end of it. It’s special. Wow. That’s awesome.”

The Herald Sun’s Jay Clark tweeted: “Jack Ginnivan has copped plenty this year. But is this the block of the season on Adam Saad? Clever player. What a season he’s had.”

The result means Collingwood finished in the top four — an extraordinary effort after coming second last on the ladder last season.

Absolute scenes. Picture: Michael Klein

Jack Ginnivan helped set up the matchwinning goal. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

But it was heartbreak for Carlton, who had been in the top eight for virtually the entire season until the heartbreaking one-point loss on Sunday afternoon at the MCG.

The Blues have not played finals since 2013.

It has been a remarkable season for Collingwood, who won 11 games by less than 12 points — by far the most by any team in VFL/AFL history.

Winning games by under 12 points in a V/@AFL H&A season
1x: 390 teams
2x: 395 teams
3x: 328 teams
4x: 152 teams
5x: 83 teams
6x: 26 teams
7x: 9 teams
8x: melb in 1989
9x:
10x:
11x: COLL in 2022

@CollingwoodFC#AFLBluesPies

— Swamp (@sirswampthing) August 21, 2022

Elliott has been clutch in fourth quarters. His last-gasp goal against Carlton came after he kicked an after-the-siren bomb from the pocket to help the Pies beat Essendon a month ago.

For his part, Ginnivan had a blinder against the Blues, kicking three goals — the most of any player on the field.

The 19-year-old was substituted out of the game with a hamstring niggle last weekend against the Sydney Swans, but recovered to produce another superb performance.