Hawthorn Hawks, Jack Ginnivan deal, Collingwood Magpies, red flags, steal, Moonee Valley, Caufield races, permission, read the room, Craig McRae

Hawthorn have secured a commercial “steal”, according to Fox Footy’s David King, after landing “a diamond in the rough” Jack Ginnivan on a four-year deal.

But King warned the 20-year-old will need to be “more back page, less front page” at his new club after a controversial few years at Collingwood.

Ginnivan was criticized for his appearance at the Moonee Valley races the day before the grand final, in a move that reportedly became the “last straw” for the Pies following his pre-season drugs ban.

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But the young striker has already “read the room” – as his former coach Craig McRae told him – and asked his new club Hawthorn for permission to attend the races this weekend.

King said he believed the Ginnivan trade was part of the “repercussions” of that fateful decision made the day before the grand final.

“It’s a good deal for them (Hawthorn),” he said. Trading day.

“I like this guy. I like the way he plays.

“He’s had a fantastic few years… It’s easy to just dismiss this guy and say ‘oh, he’s been a problem’ – all good players have been a problem!

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“He didn’t read the room – he made a significant mistake the day before the grand final and I don’t know where that stands with the coach.

“Craig will never tell us it was a problem…Given what he went through that night (with the birth of his daughter Maggie), if he had been aware of all the circumstances, I wouldn’t ‘Couldn’t have said, ‘You know what? I’m playing Johnny Noble instead. You’ve been lacking professionalism in our club’s biggest moments for some time.’

“I think (Jack’s) felt the repercussions of that afterward.”

Companion Trading day Panelist Leigh Montagna agreed there were “red flags” for Collingwood.

“If Collingwood wanted to keep him, they could have,” he said.

“They probably saw some red flags with him.

“I think it’s a pretty callous decision on Collingwood’s part.

“(Ginnivan) has an opportunity at a club that is desperate for a small forward. It’s a smart move on his part and his camp.

Collingwood remains adamant that it has not shopped around for Ginnivan, with footy boss Graham Wright only being informed of the 20-year-old’s meeting with the Hawks by the Hawks themselves.

“He came back from Bali on Monday night and met his childhood hero Sam Mitchell on Tuesday,” explained Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph of how the Ginnivan deal came together 24 hours later on Wednesday.

“I think it’s a smart move for him.

“Craig McRae told Jack to read the play after the Moonee Valley escapades – I was told today that’s exactly what he did.

“Odded halfway by (Bobby) Hill (during the 2022 trade period), completely ousted by (Lachie) Schultz (this trade period).

“He called McRae to say thank you.

“He also asked permission from Sam Mitchell to attend the races this weekend at Caufield so that’s quite clever.

“(Collingwood) didn’t fight very hard for him.

“In the blink of an eye, this deal was done.”

Although Ginnivan leaves as a leading player, he has not reached the same heights as his 2022 season – finishing 2023 ranked poorly for forward half pressure points, below average for disposals , the 50 passes on the ground and the involvement in the scores, and the average for the goals.