Brodie Grundy has backed polarising Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan's cheeky social media antics, saying the game should celebrate characters like him.
Ginnivan raised eyebrows during the week when he responded to an Instagram post by Grundy, his former Collingwood teammate. Ginnivan wrote "see u in 14 days", referring to next weekend's preliminary finals, but Hawthorn lost to Port Adelaide in their semi-final on Friday night.
"Jack, he's a character. He's an entertainer as well, and that's what I love about him," Grundy said.
"He brings eyes to our game, which I think is cool. As an industry, we want to have personality, and I think we should celebrate that. I obviously didn't entertain in the chat, perhaps maybe I'm a little bit wiser, but I love what he brings to our game."
The AFL fines Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley $20,000 for targeting Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan after the Power's thrilling semi-final win at Adelaide Oval.
Hinkley sparked backlash for taunting Ginnivan immediately after the game, leading to a furious reaction from Hawks captain James Sicily, coach Sam Mitchell, and a host of former Hawthorn players in the media.
Having issued the Power coach with a 'please explain', the AFL announced that the club has been fined $20,000 for for breaching AFL Rule 2.3(a), conduct unbecoming.
"We understand it is a passionate game with a lot at stake for all clubs, however Ken made a decision to engage with opposition players post-match - a decision he has since admitted was the wrong one," AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade said.
"Ken has acknowledged that his emotions got the better of him in the moment, however as a senior coach his actions fell well below what is expected by the AFL."
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley admits he shouldn't have been drawn into a verbal post-match altercation with Hawthorn players on Friday night, conceding he had responded emotionally to opposition comments during the build-up to a thrilling semi-final.
Hinkley approached Hawks forward Jack Ginnivan after the three-point win and was then involved in a tense exchange with opposition captain James Sicily.
"There was an incident after the game where I had some words with a Hawthorn player that I wish I hadn't had in a moment that I shouldn't have had," Hinkley said.
"It was an emotional game, a big result, and there was stuff said during last week that I certainly didn't enjoy, but I shouldn't have let that moment get to me.
"I've now made it known to them through this that I shouldn't have approached the moment that I did, but what was done during the week was done and I responded to it in an emotional state, which shouldn't be the case."
The AFL issues a 'please explain' to Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley following his post-game interaction with Hawthorn players Jack Ginnivan and James Sicily.
"I can't recall exactly what was said. He (Hinkley) was talking to our players and said something to Ginni," Sicily said about the incident.
"I think what I do as a leader is I always have my teammates' back and I will stick up for them regardless of who is in the right or the wrong.
"It is something I pride myself on and I don't regret it one bit really."
Jack Ginnivan continues to stir up controversy during the 2024 finals series.
After appearing to mock those who spotted him at a Richmond pub prior to the Hawk's elimination final against the Bulldogs with a goal celebration, Ginnivan took to Instagram to post "see u in 14 days" on a post by Brodie Grundy to insinuate that the Hawks were certain to beat Port Adelaide and meet the Swans in the ensuing Preliminary Final.
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell dismissed the comment as simply communication between players in the modern era.
"Social media is a funny thing. A lot of players don't have each other's numbers. In my world, you send each other a text. They don’t do that. They send it via Snapchat or TikTok or who knows what else," Mitchell said.
Collingwood and Hawthorn have agreed to a trade for small forward Jack Ginnivan where the two clubs swap their second-round picks for 2023 and their 2024 second-round picks. Collingwood will also exchange its 2024 fourth-round pick for Hawthorn's third-round pick.
"We couldn’t be happier that Jack wanted to come to Hawthorn – a club he's loved since he was a kid," Hawthorn list manager Mark McKenzie said.
"We love the way he goes about his footy, he's a clever forward that hits the scoreboard and generates a lot of energy on the field."
Jack Ginnivan informs the Magpies, via his manager, that he is keen on a move from Collingwood. Hawthorn has had interest in the Castlemaine product in recent months and is poised to make a late play.
Collingwood captain Darcy Moore says the team will support Jack Ginnivan after the young forward was banned for drug use.
"He's a really bubbly, really popular teammate. He is someone who really lights up the locker room, so we really want to see that, and we just want to look after his wellbeing," Moore said.
"This is obviously an error and a mistake that he's made, and we're not interested in shaming him going forward. We want to support him and make sure he feels empowered to get back into his training."
Jack Ginnivan is banned for the first two rounds of the 2023 season after admitting to illicit drug use.
The 20-year-old has also been hit with a $5000 suspended fine, and has received one strike under the AFL's Illicit Drugs Policy.
Ginnivan's admission to the AFL Integrity Unit came after vision of him with an illicit substance in Torquay in January emerged on Thursday.
"I understand that as an AFL player I have standards I need to meet and, on this occasion, I have fallen well short of the standards expected of me as a footballer and as a representative of Collingwood," Ginnivan said.
"I have made mistakes along the way and I'm determined to learn from them in order to be the best person and footballer I can be to avoid letting people down which is what I have done here."
Sydney coach John Longmire has urged fans to show respect for players at football grounds in the wake of the booing of Collingwood youngster Jack Ginnivan by Swans fans at the SCG.
"I just think it’s important to be mindful and respect all players that go out there and put their best foot forward every week. It's not an easy thing to do, put yourself out there on the biggest stage," Longmire said.
Collingwood pair Jack Ginnivan and Isaac Quaynor have apologised for a video they posted on social media where they took part in a trend in which they rated women's looks.
"We did a trend that we did not think about before posting and we're really sorry for making the mistake of participating in it and then posting it," Quaynor said.
"We've since realised that it's just not acceptable and it doesn't align with the values that both of us hold. We'll keep learning about what we should and shouldn't post as there's a lot to learn from."
Ginnivan added: "We're sorry to everyone at the club, across all platforms, our members, supporters for any impact we've caused. Thanks guys and we're so sorry again."
Jack Ginnivan has become somewhat of a polarising figure, particularly among opposition supporters, but says that this doesn't bother him.
"The people that hate me and doubt me, it really doesn't faze me and it really makes me want to show how good I am," Ginnivan said.
"(Being an antagonistic player) comes with a lot of responsibility; I'm just trying to be myself and play to the best of my ability. And if people like it around me, it brings a smile to my face."
Jack Ginnivan kicks the goal of the round for round 7 of 2022.
Tuesday, 26 April 2022
Jack Ginnivan is the 2022 round six AFL Rising Star nominee after starring on Anzac Day against Essendon with five goals in front of a huge crowd at the MCG, earning the Anzac Day Medal in the process.
Jack Ginnivan makes his AFL debut for Collingwood at Docklands Stadium with 7 disposals (6 kicks and a handball), 3 marks and a tackle in a 28-point loss to Port Adelaide.
Thursday, 10 December 2020
Collingwood select Jack Ginnivan with pick No.13 in the 2020 Rookie Draft.
