Footy star Jack Ginnivan reveals how Collingwood coach Craig McRae drove him out of the club with three simple words
- Ginnivan said McCrae wanted him to become more humble
- Hawthorn Hawks star says he took the words to heart
- Ginnivan says he could see the writing on the wall
Hawthorn star Jack Ginnivan has spoken about his brutal exit meeting at Collingwood at the end of last season and the three words left Magpies coach Craig McRae hurt.
Ginnivan, 21, was part of the Magpies’ grand final win over Brisbane in 2023, but was handed a move just weeks later and ended up at the Hawks.
The small forward revealed some details of his exit meeting at the club and how McRae wanted him to become more humble.
“It was a difficult exit meeting to hear,” Ginnivan said on Seven’s Talking Footy.
Ginnivan says coach Craig McRae (pictured) accused him of not being modest, which hurt
“Words of ‘don’t be humble,’ which I kind of took to heart because I think I’m a pretty humble person.
“When you hear things like that from your ex-coach, it becomes a writing on the wall.”
Not long after, Ginnivan was traded to the Hawks.
The talented youngster thought he would be a magpie for life, but was suddenly set adrift.
“When you come to the AFL you don’t think you’re going to change clubs or anything like that, especially if you win a grand final,” Ginnivan said.
‘When I won the grand final it was all a bit of a blur, and then I went to Bali with some friends.
‘The trading period is so close (to the end of the season) because we won the grand final, so it was only two or three weeks (before trading). The calls happened when I was in Bali and that’s when it all happened.
“It’s such a strange thing (to be traded) when you win a grand final, but ultimately I couldn’t be happier with the Hawks, and I’ve loved my time there so far.”
Ginnivan was part of the Magpies’ big final win in 2023 and saw his future there
Ginnivan (now with Hawthorn) says he saw the writing on the wall after meeting him
The young gun says he couldn’t be happier than where he is right now with the Hawks
McRae also took issue with Ginnivan’s controversial decision to head to the races before the footy final.
Ginnivan admits he probably wouldn’t do the same if the opportunity arose again.
“To be honest, the only thing I regret when I go to the races is if it affected someone else’s pre-game or if it affected the coaches or players,” Ginnivan said.
‘For me personally, I didn’t think it was that big of a deal for myself because I knew that if I was going out to dinner with a partner or sitting on the couch at home, I would be doing the same thing.
“For me to get out there and talk to some people and relax before the game (was the idea).
“(In retrospect) I would stay home just because it’s an easier option.”