Jack Ginnivan’s rise as a footballer continues after the energetic player led a 66-point rout of Collingwood that leaves the defending champions’ flag hanging in the balance.
Ginnivan shone against his former club as he returned from a two-week absence with a hairline fracture to his fibula in the Hawks’ dominant 20.13 (133) to 9.13 (67) victory on Saturday at a rain-soaked MCG.
The 21-year-old, who featured in the Magpies’ flag-winning side last year, racked up career-high figures of 31 disposals and four clearances in the best of his 58 games to date.
He also scored twice, sparking wild celebrations when he scored in the third and fourth quarters as Hawthorn ran riot in front of 74,171 fans and gave their finals hopes a huge boost in the process.
After his second goal, Ginnivan made a sleeping gesture, suggesting it was time for his opponents to sleep.
After his goal in the third period, he kissed the Hawthorn crest on his jersey, prompting boos from some Collingwood fans.
AFL fans watching the match from home were quick to criticise Collingwood supporters for attacking their former star.
“It’s absolutely hilarious that Collingwood fans are booing Ginnivan. The same fans who were enraged when others booed him non-stop when he played for them and were very vocal in their defence,” one fan posted on X.
Jack Ginnivan (pictured with Isaac Quaynor) had a sensational game against his former club.
Another posted: ‘Pies fans last year: don’t boo Ginnivan, it’s bad for his mental health. Pies fans this year: boo.’
“It’s them. They’re disgusting,” a third replied.
“Ginnivan got the better of Collingwood and his supporters. What an irony. This script couldn’t have been written any better,” posted another.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell praised Ginnivan’s growth as a footballer after the match.
“Ginni is one of those players that the crowd loves and the media loves to talk about him… but in our preparation we didn’t give him much importance,” Mitchell said.
‘We focus more on what he does for us as a full-back.
‘We know he’s been an important player for us all year and we’ve missed him the last few weeks.
‘We knew that getting him back would bring a lot of energy and the theatrical feel of the game was fantastic.
“But it was very important to us that he played his role and did his job, and he did more than that.”
Ginnivan was booed by a section of Collingwood fans throughout the day but produced the perfect response.
“If you think about how long it seems like he’s been around, how many times he’s been on the back page or there’s been a story about him, he seems a lot older,” Mitchell said.
‘But he’s 21, so he’s still maturing, he’s still growing in his football and he’s still learning how to handle different opponents, situations and roles.
‘This is all the result of a tremendous work ethic and a desire to prove that he can be a fantastic, complete player and not just a passing fad.
“To his credit, two-thirds of the way through his first season with us, he’s doing a lot of things right.”
Ginnivan was booed by a section of the Collingwood fans throughout the match.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell praised Ginnivan’s growth as a footballer after the match.
Ginnivan shone in an irresistible Hawthorn team performance, with Conor Nash (29 disposals, eight clearances), Jai Newcombe (25, six), Will Day (26, five) and James Worpel (28, five) all strong contributors.
Connor MacDonald scored a career-high four goals, while Luke Breust (four) and Nick Watson (three) also added multiple key goals.
The Hawks’ versatile pair of James Sicily and Blake Hardwick held firm in defence against a scatterbrained Collingwood attack.
Hawthorn’s seventh win in its last eight games puts it within touching distance of the top eight with a 10-8 record after a 0-5 start to the year ahead of an away clash with Adelaide.
Collingwood (8-8-2) has lost four straight and is in serious danger of falling out of contention after the heaviest defeat in three seasons in charge of Premier League coach Craig McRae.
The Magpies had few winners, with Nick Daicos (24 disposals, six clearances) and Jack Crisp (22, six) struggling against the tide in the middle.
Steele Sidebottom and Bobby Hill each scored two goals, while Dan McStay finished with 1.2 from eight touches in his first game back from a long-term knee injury.