‘Red flags’ exposed in as Hawks land Jack Ginnivan in trade ‘steal’

David King has warned Jack Ginnivan will need to be “more back page, less front page” after a controversial few years at Collingwood.

Former Magpie Jack Ginnivan will join Hawthorn. Picture: Michael Klein

Hawthorn has secured a trade “steal”, according to Fox Footy’s David King, after landing “diamond in the rough” Jack Ginnivan on a reported four-year deal.

But King warned the 20-year-old will need to be “more back page, less front page” at his new club after a controversial few years at Collingwood.

Ginnivan came under fire for his appearance at the Moonee Valley races on grand final eve, in a move that reportedly became the “final straw” for the Pies after his pre-season drug ban.

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But the young forward has already “read the room” – as put to him by his former coach Craig McRae – and asked his new club Hawthorn permission to attend the races this weekend.

King said he believes Ginnivan’s trade was part of the “repercussions” of that fateful decision on grand final eve.

“It’s a steal for them (Hawthorn),” he said on Trading Day.

“I like this guy. I like the way he plays.

“He’s had a fantastic couple of years … It’s easy to just dismiss this guy and say ‘oh he’s been trouble’ – all the good players are trouble!

“He hasn’t read the room – he made a significant mistake on grand final eve and I’m not sure where that sat with the coach.

Turned out alright for Ginnivan. Picture by Michael Klein

“Craig will never tell us it was a problem … Given what he was going through that night (with the birth of his daughter Maggie), had he been aware of the full circumstances, I wouldn’t put it past him to have said, ‘you know what? I’m playing Johnny Noble instead. You’ve lacked professionalism in the greatest moment for our club for some time’.

“I think (Jack’s) felt the repercussions of that in the aftermath.”

Fellow Trading Day panellist Leigh Montagna agreed there were “red flags” for Collingwood.

“If Collingwood wanted to keep him, they could have,” he said.

“They’ve probably seen some red flags with him.

“I think it’s a pretty ruthless call by Collingwood.

“(Ginnivan) gets an opportunity at a club desperate for a small forward. It’s a smart decision by him and his camp.”

Collingwood remain adamant they did not shop Ginnivan around, with footy boss Graham Wright only made aware of the 20-year-old’s meeting with the Hawks from the Hawks themselves.

Ginnivan marks during the grand final. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Hopefully his jersey will fit a little better. Pictures: Facebook

“He arrived back from Bali Monday night, met his childhood hero Sam Mitchell on Tuesday,” Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph explained on how the Ginnivan deal got done just 24 hours later on Wednesday.

“I think it’s a smart move for him.

“Craig McRae told Jack to read the room after the Moonee Valley escapades – it was put to me today that’s exactly what he did.

“Squeezed halfway out by (Bobby) Hill (in the 2022 trade period), squeezed fully out by (Lachie) Schultz (this trade period).

“He’s called McRae to say thank you.

“He’s also asked for permission from Sam Mitchell to attend the races this weekend at Caufield so that is quite clever.

“(Collingwood) didn’t fight very hard for him.

“In a heartbeat that deal got done.”

While Ginnivan departs as a premiership player, he didn’t achieve the same heights as his 2022 season – finishing 2023 ranked poor for forward half pressure points, below average for disposals, forward 50 groundball gets and score involvement, and average for goals.

Originally published as ‘Red flags’ exposed in as Hawks land Jack Ginnivan in trade ‘steal’