Collingwood fans have been left devastated after the shock departure of dynamic small forward Jack Ginnivan on the final day of the AFL trade period.
Despite having a year to go on his contract, the premiership player has moved to Hawthorn, after a staggering series of events that suddenly saw him on the outer.
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The Ginnivan bombshell first dropped on Tuesday with his management telling the Magpies he wanted to be traded, less than three weeks after playing in the club’s 16th VFL/AFL premiership.
The deal was completed on Wednesday, hours before the 7.30pm trade deadline.
Collingwood gained future second and third-round picks as part of the deal, while the Hawks received Ginnivan as well as future second and fourth-round picks.
In essence, Collingwood didn’t get much for the star, but they already had beefed up their small forward stocks with the acquisition of Lachie Schultz from Fremantle earlier in the week.
Schultz joined Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill and fellow premiership player Beau McCreery at Collingwood, effectively squeezing Ginnivan out.
And fans weren’t happy, believing the club had “turfed out” their cult hero.
Indeed, Ginnivan had been a handful for the Pies.
After kicking 40 goals during a breakout 2022 campaign, he struggled to regain those heights following a controversial start to the 2023 campaign.
He was banned for the first two rounds of 2023 after admitting to illicit drug use in January during a pre-season camp.
He then spent periods in the VFL, and failed to have an impact during Collingwood’s three finals wins.
He also landed himself in trouble for attending a horse racing event on grand final eve.
“Read the room, Jack,” Collingwood coach Craig McRae said in his post-grand final press conference when asked about Ginnivan’s night at the races.
“You’ve got to grow up, but you’ve got to make mistakes to learn from them.”
When the club posted details of the Ginnivan trade on social media with a “farewell” message, fans were quick to fire up.
“Heartbroken,” one said, while another said “spewing” and another wrote “gutted”.
Another picked up on the club’s use of the word “farewell”.
“Farewelled him? You turfed him out. With no believable explanation meaning (footy manager) Graham Wright lied on Monday. Really cant believe anything the club says,” they wrote.
That fan was referring to comments made by Wright on Trade Radio, who said: “No, I haven’t taken any calls about (Ginnivan) …. (and) we haven’t sought to take calls either. From our perspective, it hasn’t been an issue at all. We see Jack as a part of what we’re doing, he’s contracted for next year and we haven’t taken any calls at all.”
Fans were also unhappy with the terms of the deal.
“So basically Collingwood gave Ginnivan away for nothing???? Jaysus Christ we can get bent over in a deal,” one Magpies supporter raged.
And another said: “So essentially given away for nothing :/.”
And another: “Looks semi desperate to just get rid of him for taking sweet nothing in return?! Ah well, later Gin! Trust the club.”
While another said: “Something has to be up here if we have given him away for essentially nothing.”
Hawthorn list boss Mark McKenzie said his club “couldn’t be happier” with the acquisition of Ginnivan.
“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,” he said.
“Having just won a premiership at 20 years of age, we believe he’s only scratched the surface of his potential.
“We can’t wait to see just how high he can elevate his game at Hawthorn in the years to come.”
Hawthorn, who finished 16th this year, have lost young forward Tyler Brockman to West Coast and will be without veteran goalsneak Chad Wingard for most of 2024, making Ginnivan an attractive proposition.
Wright said: “We appreciate and accept Jack’s decision to seek further opportunity at Hawthorn.
“Jack’s contribution over the last three years has been significant and includes being a member of the 2023 premiership team, which he’ll always be a part of.”
Former top-10 draft picks Paddy Dow and Nick Coffield also found new clubs on deadline day as part of a four-way transaction.
Dow has moved from Carlton to St Kilda, while Coffield has left the Saints for the Western Bulldogs.
Essendon were also involved in the deal, with a swap of draft picks paving the way for it to get done.
The Bombers improved this year’s draft hand as a result, receiving pick 35 and a future fourth-round selection.
They gave up pick 52 and a future third-round pick.
Port Adelaide also landed a trade target, with ruckman Ivan Soldo crossing from Richmond.
The Power gave up picks 41 and 49, as well as a future second-round pick tied to Fremantle and future fourth-round pick, in exchange for Soldo and pick 50.
– With AAP
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