Collingwood star booed in disgusting moment on Anzac Day

Collingwood rising star Jack Ginnivan was given a brutal reception during an ugly end to a blockbuster Anzac Day game.

Jack Ginnivan was best on ground. Photo: Kayo, Dylan Burns, AFL Photos via Getty.

Collingwood star Jack Ginnivan was booed by spectators at the MCG after he was announced the winner of the Anzac Day medal following the Magpies’ thrilling win over Essendon on Monday.

The brash 19-year-old had angered Essendon supporters in the first half as he motioned to silence some fans after he kicked a goal from the forward pocket boundary.

Some Bombers fans were seen by TV cameras flipping him the bird in an angry response.

Those fans would have particularly hated how Ginnivan’s afternoon unfolded.

He went on to kick five goals — the first time a Magpies player has kicked five goals on Anzac Day since Travis Cloke in 2008.

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His fifth goal of the match came early in the fourth quarter and the Magpies never looked back as they went on to win the rollercoaster battle 15.3 (93) to 12.10 (82).

Ginnivan has become a surprisingly high-profile player this season following public criticism from footy pundit Kane Cornes.

Ginnivan was accused of being a bit too colourful as he celebrated a Collingwood victory earlier this season.

Are you not entertained. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

His response since then would be giving Pies coach Craig McRae plenty of smiles.

His behaviour didn’t have any Essendon fans smiling, however.

He was awarded the Anzac Day medal, despite Champion Data’s player-ranking system not listing him in the top-ten players on the field.

The AFL announced how the voting for the medal unfolded.

Judges voting – 3 2 1.

Michael Gleeson, The Age (Chair) – J Ginnivan, D Parish, S Pendlebury.
Jobe Watson, Channel 7 – J Ginnivan, J De Goey, J Howe.
Lauren Wood, Herald Sun – J Ginnivan, D Parish, S Pendlebury.
Josh Gabelich, AFL Media – D Parish, J Ginnivan, Z Merrett.

— AFL House (@AFL_House) April 25, 2022

However, he was clearly a popular choice for the medal, based on the reaction of his teammates when his name was announced.

The medal is awarded to the player who best demonstrates the “Anzac spirit”.

Even before he could get to the microphone, Ginnivan was being booed by sections of the bumper crowd of 84,205 — the biggest crowd at an AFL game since the 2019 grand final.

Ginnivan wasn’t unsettled by the ugly crowd response as he stepped up to the microphone after receiving the award.

He thanked “everyone for coming” and finished his speech by saying “Go Pies”.

Jack is full of appreciation 🙏 pic.twitter.com/uEyN8x8DJu

— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 25, 2022

One Collingwood fan on Twitter wrote: “Essendon supporters showing their class yet again by booing another #Anzac Medalist. What a bunch of catatonic losers”.

Another Twitter user wrote: “Bombers supporters. Be classy FFS. Go home”.

Jack Ginnivan was best on ground. Photo: Kayo, Dylan Burns, AFL Photos via Getty.

It is a particularly contentious issue after the 2019 Anzac Day clash where Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury was also booed by spectators after being awarded the medal as the best player on the ground.

Former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said at the time: “Shame on anyone that booed a champion”.

Buckley congratulate Ginnivan for his performance after the game when speaking on Fox Footy.

He said he was impressed by Ginnivan’s ability to deal with the pressure of taking centre stage.

“He’s been able to back it up. When he’s been the centre of attention and the focus, he’s been able to go and do his job,” he said.

“Even on the big stage he was able to perform.”

Demons legend Garry Lyon told Fox Footy the performance will shut Ginnivan’s critics up.

He said: “If you can do it like this on the biggest stage then you can say hey, all you critics can go in the back seat”.

Originally published as Collingwood star booed in disgusting moment on Anzac Day