‘Why would he put himself in that position?’ Hawks defend Ginnivan’s night out

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was aware that Jack Ginnivan was heading to a Richmond pub on Thursday night, less than 24 hours before the Hawks were set to face the Western Bulldogs in an elimination final at the MCG.

Ginnivan, 21, was pictured with a drink in hand at the London Tavern in Richmond, although the club said he had only a soft drink on what was a quiet night out for dinner with friends.

Out and about: Hawks star Jack Ginnivan was at a Richmond pub on Thursday night.Credit: AFL Photos

The star forward had sought permission from Mitchell to spend a few hours out watching the first half of the qualifying final between Geelong and Port Adelaide.

“He was out for dinner and home by half-time of the game,” a Hawks spokesman said. “Sam knew about it and had no issues.”

Ginnivan posted a photo of a cup of tea to X at home at 9.13pm.

His night out was a source of debate as it came almost a year after the then Collingwood player spent grand final eve at the Moonee Valley races before the clash against the Brisbane Lions. In his post-match press conference, Magpies coach Craig McRae said Ginnivan had not “read the room”. Ginnivan was later traded to the Hawks.

On Friday, Port Adelaide premiership great Kane Cornes, now a prominent commentator, questioned why Ginnivan had again allowed himself to become an unwanted distraction for the club.

“The Jack Ginnivan thing fascinates me. I don’t know why he would put himself in that position and cause a distraction,” Cornes told SEN on Friday.

“He’s caused us to be talking about this now. Why would he think it’s a good idea, after what happened before the grand final last year, to go to a pub? Now, he’s done nothing wrong here. He’s out until 9pm, he’s home before half-time – but to put yourself in this position, what’s the risk-reward here?”

The Hawks will play in their first final since 2018 when they line up against the Bulldogs before a potential crowd of more than 90,000.

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