Hawthorn star Jack Ginnivan’s perfect response to criticism of his pre-game ritual ahead of AFL finals

Hawthorn Hawks star Jack Ginnivan has given the perfect response after causing yet another social media stir ahead of the AFL finals.

Last season, when the young star played for Collingwood, he was criticised for spending time at the races at Moonee Valley ahead of the finals, where the Magpies eventually won the championship title.

In the spirit of Groundhog Day, Ginnivan was once again in the spotlight ahead of the Hawks’ elimination final against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.

The 21-year-old was photographed at the London Tavern in Richmond, prompting hundreds of comments online, with football fans divided over whether his actions were acceptable or not.

The Hawks star was reported to have been ‘on the water’ enjoying a meal as he watched Geelong destroy Port Adelaide and had the blessing of coach Sam Mitchell. But some fans weren’t convinced.

“It doesn’t look like water to me,” one fan posted.

‘Why not start with the sauce? The season is over tomorrow night anyway,’ added another.

‘People need to get over this. It’s not the Olympics or the Premier League. This sort of thing happens every week in local football,’ wrote another.

The Hawthorn star posted this photo just after 9pm in response to criticism of his performance at the pub

But Ginnivan had many defenders who said he had done nothing wrong.

‘There’s nothing wrong with a pub feed before a game, especially if the manager approves it,’ said one supporter.

“Looks like water to me. Definitely not beer,” another commented.

‘The last time he stepped onto the field for a big game he won the title. Stick to a tried and tested method,’ added another.

However, Ginnivan himself was quick to deny suggestions that he had been drinking late into the night, responding to a post from SEN’s Sam Edmund pointing out his actions in 2023 and this year.

He posted a photo that looked like he was at home. It had a digital photo frame with a photo of his family, a candle and two cups of tea.

The 21-year-old recruit will be a key part of the Hawks’ revival in the coming years

Ginnivan lashed out at his former club Collingwood when they clashed earlier this year

He added a ‘Zzz’ emoji to the photo just after 9pm, congratulating those who chastised him by showing him going to bed early to prepare for his exam.

Although Ginnivan appeared innocent, AFL commentator and analyst Kane Cornes questioned why he would put himself back in the spotlight for such an important match.

“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 Breakfast.

‘He’s made sure we’re talking about this now. Why would he think it was a good idea, after what happened last year before the Grand Final, to go to the pub.

‘Well, he’s done nothing wrong here. He’s out until 9:00, he’s back home for a rest – but to put yourself in this position, what’s the risk-reward here?

“He’s done nothing wrong. He even tweeted Sammy Edmund last night. I just think it’s an unnecessary distraction.

‘I can’t think of anything worse than going to the pub before a game, but that’s the way I am and this Hawthorn team does things differently and he does things differently.

“For me it’s just the fact that we’re talking about it. There’s a picture in the Herald Sun. It looks like he’s drinking a Pepsi Max. He’s clearly not drinking. I don’t know what the point was in doing that, especially after what happened last year before the Grand Final.”