AFL 2023: Jack Ginnivan return to form give Collingwood finals selection headaches

Jack Ginnivan now seems a lock in Collingwood’s finals side – thanks, in part, to a surprise ban by the Pies. And it leaves Craig McRae with even more headaches on the team’s final make-up.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 25: Jack Ginnivan of the Magpies celebrates kicking a goal during the round 24 AFL match between Essendon Bombers and Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on August 25, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

A drastic change in his diet and a new work ethic has locked Jack Ginnivan into Collingwood’s finals team as coach Craig McRae hints he wants to play two rucks in September.

The Magpies will host a qualifying final, almost certainly on Thursday, September 7, and the minor premier is far from settled with its best side.

Ginnivan has forced his way in after missing ten games leading into round 22’s win over Geelong.

The cheeky goalsneak’s commitment to forcing his way back in after recruit Bobby Hill seemingly stole his spot this year became so great the Collingwood dietitian began banning some foods from Ginnivan’s home – to the chagrin of housemate and defender Nathan Murphy.

Jack Ginnivan has roared back into the Collingwood side. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Ginnivan handed out three goals after coming on as the sub against Geelong, then booted three of his own to take down Essendon on Friday night, winning over four-time flag winner Luke Hodge.

“He seems to be having that team first mindset … his first game back two weeks ago he gave a few ‘Joe the gooses’ (easy passes for goals) and I think that is the mindset he is buying into a little bit,” Hodge said on SEN.

Ginnivan’s ability to push up and be an option when the Magpies were exiting defence impressed McRae, a new trick added by the forward thanks to his new fitness level.

“I strongly believe it came down to his training standards … in the VFL he wasn’t playing above the level but then he go busy with his training,” McRae said after the Essendon thumping.

With Ginnivan locked in and Jeremy Howe sent to defence against the Bombers – he spent 80 per cent of his night in his own back 50 – McRae’s headaches will mostly surround Murphy and skipper Darcy Moore.

Both are automatic selections in defence, putting Billy Frampton in trouble to hold his spot.

The Magpies will again debate whether to play Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox in the same side.

Jack Ginnivan is mobbed by teammates. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Over the last two years under McRae, the Pies have preferred to play Cameron and Cox together and McRae hinted it might be too late in the season to change that, throwing into question whether Dan McStay can hold his spot.

Hodge favours playing Cox as the No.1 ruck and he turned the game on its head in round 23 against Brisbane when sent into the middle.

“Our best model is when they (Cameron and Cox) are playing at their best, they are both in our team,” McRae said.

“They seem to work better together but they need to be at their best. It is going to be hard to change that at this time of the year I would have thought but we will have to wait and see.”

Beau McReery must come back in to the forward half after missing round 24 through suspension and Tom Mitchell’s 33 disposals, one-goal clinic against Essendon likely keeps him in the side.

Jamie Elliott (corked glute) will be fine for the qualifying final, likely pitting Will Hoskin-Elliott, Pat Lipinski and McStay in a battle to hold off McReery.

Another helpful headache looms for McRae after the qualifying final, with Nick Daicos virtually ruled out of the first weeks of finals but pushing to return by a semi-final, if the Pies play that week.

Originally published as AFL 2023: Jack Ginnivan return to form give Collingwood finals selection headaches