Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan has suggested feeling unwanted at Collingwood played a large role in his choice to move clubs at the end of 2023.
Admitting that when offered a four-year deal by the Hawks it became an “easy decision”, Ginnivan – who played in 40 games and a premiership for the Magpies – said no one from his former club reached out while he was making up his mind.
It emerged late in the 2023 trade period that Ginnivan could be on the move despite being under contract at the Pies and after returning from a Bali holiday, the process moved quickly.
The 21-year-old said he started to think about leaving after his exit meeting with Craig McRae.
He referenced his infamous trip to the Moonee Valley races the night before the Grand Final, saying he thought little of it in the following days.
“Nothing really came of it apart from until Fly’s (McRae) press conference and my exit meeting and that was sort of when I knew I probably should leave,” he told the Tommy Talks podcast.
“I had the exit meeting with Fly and a few things in there were a bit… that was a bit eye opening, that exit meeting.”
McRae later suggested Ginnivan needed to “read the room” in regards to his pre-Grand Final races trip.
Ginnivan added it was the “biggest decision of (his) life” on whether to leave Collingwood.
But the fact none of his now-former teammates or coaches picked up the phone sealed the deal.
“I have one year there (Collingwood) and no one has reached out wanting me to stay,” he said.
“And I have Hawthorn - where I have had 10 players message me saying ‘come to the Hawks’. I have a four-year deal and it’s my childhood dream to play for Hawthorn.
“The most disappointing thing was probably just no coach or player reaching out to say ‘I want you to stay and we really value you’ and those things.
“There were so many Hawks boys that messaged me … that made me feel really special and I am loving it at the Hawks.”
McRae was asked about Ginnivan’s quotes on SEN’s The Run Home on Tuesday afternoon.
“I can’t comment on what he said because I haven’t heard it. But he did have a contract, remember… so it was up to him to decide to go and have conversations,” he said.
“We never opened the door for him to have a conversation with another footy club. That was up to him.
“I openly say we had an exit interview (where) I expressed things I wasn’t happy with. But it wasn’t see you later, Jack. He was a valued player and a premiership player.
“We shook hands and he decided to go and we said 'yes, okay, on your way', without saying that directly.
“We wish him well and we wish him all the best, just not this week when he plays us. He’s always going to be a premiership player at Collingwood and when we had that final conversation on the phone (I said) I still love and support him and want the best for him.”
Ginnivan was in Bali with several Magpies before deciding to leave and remains close friends with a number of players.
He’ll reacquaint those friendships on Sunday during Gather Round when Hawthorn meets Collingwood.
He's made a strong start to his time at the Hawks, averaging 15 touches and a goal a game through three rounds.