Jack Ginnivan mocks Collingwood as Pies fans are slammed for ‘filthy’ act
Jack Ginnivan continues to develop as a footballer after the energetic player defeated Collingwood by 66 points, leaving the reigning premier’s defence hanging by a thread.
Ginnivan shone against his old club after a two-week absence with a hairline fracture in his fibula during the Hawks’ convincing 20.13 (133) to 9.13 (67) victory at a rain-soaked MCG on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, who was part of the Magpies’ winning team last year, has achieved 31 possessions and four clearances in his career-best 58 games so far.
He also scored two goals, causing jubilation when he netted in the third and fourth quarters to impress Hawthorn in front of 74,171 fans and give their hopes of a place in the final a huge boost.
After his second goal, Ginnivan made a sleeping gesture, indicating that it was bedtime for his opponents.
After scoring in his third term, he kissed the Hawthorn badge on his shirt, prompting boos from some Collingwood fans.
AFL fans watching at home were quick to criticise Collingwood supporters for targeting their former star.
‘Collingwood fans booing Ginnivan is absolutely hilarious. Same fanbase that were enraged when others booed him incessantly when he played for them and loudly defended him,’ one fan posted on X.
Jack Ginnivan (pictured next to Isaac Quaynor) played a sensational match against his former club
Another posted: ‘Pies fans last year: don’t boo Ginnivan, it’s bad for his mental health. Pies fans this year: boo.’
“They are. Dirty,” replied a third.
‘Ginnivan owns Collingwood and their supporters. The irony. You couldn’t have written this script any better,’ posted another.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell praised Ginnivan’s development as a footballer after the match.
“Ginni is one of those players that the public loves and the media loves to talk about… but in our preparation we didn’t pay much attention to him,” Mitchell said.
‘We mainly look at what he does for us as a team.
‘We know he has been an important player for us over the past year and we have missed him over the past few weeks.
‘We knew it would be a lot of energy to have him back and the sense of theatre in the game was fantastic.
“But for us it was very important that he played his role and did his job, and he did more than that.”
Ginnivan was booed all day by a section of the Collingwood fans but responded perfectly.
“When you think about how long he’s been around, how many times he’s been on the back page or how many times a story has been written about him, he seems much older,” Mitchell said.
‘But he’s 21 years old, so he’s still maturing, still developing his football skills and still learning how to deal with different opponents, situations and roles.
‘It’s all the result of a tremendous work ethic and a desire to prove that he can be a fantastic and versatile player and not a one-hit wonder.
‘To his credit, I have to say that now that we’re two-thirds of the way through his first season with us, he’s doing a lot of good.’
Ginnivan was booed by a section of Collingwood fans during the match
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell praised Ginnivan’s growth as a footballer after the match
Ginnivan shone in an irresistible team performance from Hawthorn, with Conor Nash (29 disposals, eight clearances), Jai Newcombe (25, six), Will Day (26, five) and James Worpel (28, five) all making strong contributions.
Connor MacDonald scored four goals, a personal best, while Luke Breust (four) and Nick Watson (three) also scored multiple majors.
The versatile Hawks duo of James Sicily and Blake Hardwick held firm in defence against an inaccurate Collingwood attack.
Hawthorn’s seventh win in their last eight games moved them close to the top eight, with a 10-8 record (after an 0-5 start this year) ahead of the away game against Adelaide.
Collingwood (8-8-2) have lost four straight games and are in serious danger of dropping out of the race after suffering Premier League coach Craig McRae’s heaviest defeat in his three seasons in charge.
The Magpies had few winners, with Nick Daicos (24 disposals, six clearances) and Jack Crisp (22, six) fighting against the tide in the middle.
Steele Sidebottom and Bobby Hill each scored two goals, while Dan McStay scored 1.2 from eight touches in his first game back from a long-term knee injury.