AFL grand final: Craig Kelly says Collingwood has no problems with Jack Ginnivan’s pre-game night at the races
While most players were having a quiet night before the grand final, Jack Ginnivan headed to Moonee Valley to watch the races. What did the club think?
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Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly says the club has no problems with Jack Ginnivan’s pre-game night at the races, saying “he loves his punting”.
Ginnivan headed to Moonee Valley races on Friday night, hours before playing in an AFL grand final.
The live wire forward popped into the races for a brief period to watch a mate’s horse run less than 24 hours from the biggest game of his life against the Brisbane Lions.
It is understood the forward spent an hour or two at the course and watched the action from the Saintly Suite private box.
“Ginni goes out, he loves his punting, loves his horses. Relaxed night,” Kelly said on Triple M.
“The other night we went to Vlados (restaurant) and had a lovely steak up there and he played one of the best games next week.
“He said we’ve got to do that every night Ned.
“I said I don’t know if that will sit in the soft cap.
“That’s how we roll now. Everyone just chill and relax.
“The players, let them do what they want.”
The 20-year-old was the sub in Collingwood’s first two finals wins but has been promoted to the starting 22 on Saturday.
Ginnivan has played 13 AFL matches this season and was forced to win his spot back in the senior side after a mid-year stint in the VFL.
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WHEN AND HOW WILL AFL HONOUR RON?
Josh Barnes
The AFL will not make a call on how to acknowledge Ron Barassi’s enormous legacy until before next season as league chair Richard Goyder announced a new medal for the No.1 draft pick.
Calls came quickly after Barassi’s death earlier this month for the AFL premiership cup to be named in his honour, while others had suggested premiership medals handed to grand final winners should be named after the champion player and coach.
Barassi’s family accepted an offer for a state funeral following his passing at the age of 87.
But even after a recent commission meeting, a call from the AFL remains on hold.
“We will work with the Barrassi family on the most appropriate way to acknowledge Ron’s massive contribution to the game with a view to announcing what we will do before the 2024 Toyota AFL premiership season,” Goyder told the North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast.
Barassi won six premierships as a player with Melbourne before coaching flags at Carlton and North Melbourne.
Goyder did announce a new medal would be struck later this year, in honour of legendary player and administrator Allen Aylett.
The player selected first in the national draft each year will be handed the Allen Aylett Medal, with Harley Reid almost certain to be the first man handed the honour in November.
Aylett played 220 games for North Melbourne and was a club team of the century member before an outstanding administrative career.
Originally published as AFL grand final: Craig Kelly says Collingwood has no problems with Jack Ginnivan’s pre-game night at the races
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