AFL trade: Jack Ginnivan’s move to Hawthorn could happen after a tumultuous couple of years

Jack Ginnivan has not had a quiet start to his career. Far from it. Now less than two weeks after he won a flag with Collingwood, he could be wearing brown and gold. Here’s how it all unfolded.

Just two weeks after winning a premiership in black and white, Collingwood star Jack Ginnivan could soon be wearing brown and gold. Picture: Getty Images

Jack Ginnivan has seemingly been a part of more headlines than he has played senior games for Collingwood.

But this latest big headline could see the 20-year-old small forward from Castlemaine become a Hawthorn player – the team he supported as a kid – before Wednesday night’s 2023 trade deadline.

Only two weeks after he won a premiership in black and white, the Collingwood small forward is exploring a trade to the Hawks.

It has been a tumultuous couple of years for a man who became a Magpies’ cult hero.

Just two weeks after winning a premiership in black and white, Collingwood star Jack Ginnivan could soon be wearing brown and gold. Picture: Getty Images

The Ginnivan headlines have almost included the full gamut across the past few years – an off-field drugs controversy earlier this year which saw him suspended; debate over whether he ducked or whether the umpires were too harsh in their judgement of him; being dumped back to the VFL this year as a challenge to improve his professionalism and fitness base; a controversial grand final eve visit to Moonee Valley races; and securing a premiership medal in only his 42nd game for Collingwood.

That last grand final eve headline might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back – at least from Ginnivan’s point.

When he went to the Moonee Valley races the night before the grand final clash with Brisbane Lions he might have done his dash.

Magpies coach Craig McRae said after the flag win that Ginnivan needed to “read the room” and “grow up” in relation to him attending the races.

The Herald Sun understands McRae’s comments went down like a lead balloon with Ginnivan.

Ginnivan was reportedly unhappy after Magpies coach Craig McRae said he needed to “read the room” and “grow up”. Picture: Michael Klein

He went to Bali to ponder his future and is now favouring a fresh start at Hawthorn.

If the Ginnivan deal to the Hawks goes through, it could yet prove the ultimate win-win for all parties.

Collingwood has a surplus of small forwards, some boasting superior CVs to Ginnivan, with former Docker Lachie Schultz joining Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, Jamie Elliott and Beau McCreery in a pressure-packed attack.

Hawthorn is desperately lacking a creative small forward in the wake of Tyler Brockman’s return home to Perth to play with the Eagles, with Sam Mitchell in a position to guarantee Ginnivan game time and potentially a three-year deal.

The Herald Sun also understands that Ginnivan likes the idea of being a part of Mitchell’s game plan, which is high scoring, creative and instinctive.

The Hawks have a busy final day trade agenda including the pursuit of Mabior Chol and Massimo D’Ambrosio as well as trying to facilitate a trade that would send Jacob Koschitzke to Richmond, with Ginnivan now a live option to move.

So what’s Ginnivan worth? It’s an interesting question.

A trade for Ginnivan could be a win-win for both Hawthorn and the Pies. Picture: Michael Klein

The Magpies would be looking for a second or third round pick.

Collingwood moved on Jaidyn Stephenson in its fire sale of late 2020, with the Pies believing the one-time Rising Star was not toeing the line.

Stephenson wanted to stay; Ginnivan may choose to leave.

While Ginnivan has taken plenty of managing on and off the field in recent seasons, the Magpies could take solace in the fact that Stephenson hasn’t hurt them in the three years since moving to Arden St.

Pending a trade before Wednesday’s 7.30pm deadline, Ginnivan could be wearing brown and gold next year, most likely in his old No. 33 guernsey, which was Brockman’s number at Hawthorn.

If a trade goes through, he will have gone from the premier team in the AFL to a young Hawks outfit with potential but still facing another year of development.

For much of his time at Collingwood, there has been debate over how good Ginnivan actually is.

We might be about to find out.

Originally published as AFL trade: Jack Ginnivan’s move to Hawthorn could happen after a tumultuous couple of years