Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan stars after being dropped to VFL as Charlie McCartin strengthens draft claims

Jack Ginnivan produced an emphatic response after being dropped for Easter Monday, breaking a 16-quarter goalless drought. Plus, the brother of an AFL star strengthened his mid-season draft claims.

After 16 goalless quarters, Jack Ginnivan finally broke his drought in his first VFL game for Box Hill following his surprise Easter Monday demotion.

Ginnivan ended the match with an impressive four goals and 22 disposals against Geelong, with his first major coming from a high free kick – but this one was definitely there.

The Hawks star hadn’t scored a goal since the second quarter of Hawthorn’s win over Essendon in round two, but kicked truly from 50 metres to the cheers of the Hawks faithful who ventured down to GMHBA Stadium to see one of their favourites.

Jack Ginnivan slotting goals with ease!!

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— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) April 20, 2025

Jack Ginnivan was dropped to the VFL.

The polarising forward had been relatively quiet to halftime against Geelong VFL with just the one kick among seven touches, however he was creative by hand up the ground and he got involved defensively with three tackles.

Perhaps the highlight of his day came just before the main break as he weaved right, then left to turn two Geelong defenders inside out and set up a goal on a platter for first-year Hawk Cody Anderson.

It was a sign of things to come as Ginnivan came to life in the third term with eight disposals and a goal, looking lively at stoppages and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates to help Box Hill put the result beyond doubt.

Jack Ginnivan celebrates one of his goals.

But he saved his best for last.

The 22-year-old reaped the rewards for his earlier efforts with three last-quarter goals – two from open marks another a handball over the top in the goalsquare.

But after a lean run of late, things were bound to fall his way eventually.

There were no dance celebrations, but you could see how much this performance meant to him when he looked to the sky with his two index fingers up after his fourth goal sailed through.

It capped a display that will give Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell plenty of food for thought ahead of their round seven clash against West Coast next Sunday.

Ginnivan went straight to the Box Hill fans on the fence after the game who welcomed him with open arms, well aware that they won’t be seeing him in the VFL for much longer.

Ginnivan finished with four goals. .

Ginnivan walks off post-game.

He wasn’t the only Box Hill forward to cash in, with Sam Butler lighting up the first three quarters and finishing with four goals from 14 disposals, while Max Ramsden had three majors to halftime.

Fringe midfielder Henry Hustwaite (35 disposals, 12 clearances and eight tackles) dominated at the source as Jhye Clark led the way for the Cats with 26 possessions.

But it was Charlie McCartin, the brother of No.1 pick Paddy and Sydney tall Tom, who was Geelong’s clear best as he strengthened his mid-season draft claims with an imposing performance down back.

The 26-year-old key defender registered a game-high 13 intercept possessions and took at least half a dozen intercept marks as his precise kicking also stood out on his way to 25 disposals and 11 marks.

Fellow mid-season draft hopeful Nathan Kreuger played as a full-time forward and the former Magpie finished with 3.2, as Cats draftee Jay Polkinghorne also booted three.

Nathan Kreuger with pinpoint accuracy!

🎥: Watch the Smithy’s VFL live and free on the AFL website and AFL Live Official App: https://t.co/3V9lTkSGTMpic.twitter.com/7R2JAJtXdR

— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) April 20, 2025

First-year Hawk Noah Mraz (16 disposals, seven intercepts) and defender Bodie Ryan showed they are players to watch in the future, with Mraz taking crucial marks in the back 50, while Ryan caught the eye with his evasiveness and reading of the play.

Meanwhile, St Kilda top-10 pick Tobie Travaglia responded emphatically to his AFL axing with 25 disposals and two goals for Sandringham in their win over Footscray.

Fellow 2024 draftee Hugh Boxshall (32 disposals, 11 clearances and nine tackles) and Western Bulldogs key defender Jedd Busslinger staked their claims for an AFL debut.

Saints youngster Angus Hastie had initially been named in St Kilda’s 23 for its clash with the Western Bulldogs, but he lined up for Sandringham instead and had 25 touches.

Originally published as Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan stars after being dropped to VFL as Charlie McCartin strengthens draft claims