Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan has opened up further on his exit meeting at Collingwood at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
The 21-year-old revealed on the Tommy Talks podcast that he only felt about leaving after the meeting he had with Magpies coach Craig McRae shortly after the Grand Final victory.
Ginnivan originally described the meeting as ‘eye-opening’ and the small forward revealed exactly what was said that shocked him on Seven’s Talking Footy.
Throughout the short conversation, McRae said he wanted Ginnivan to become humbler while also criticising him for his goalless, seven-touch Grand Final performance.
Ginnivan says the humility message hit home as he considers himself quite a humble person.
“It was a difficult exit meeting to hear,” Ginnivan told Seven’s Talking Footy.
“Sort of words of not being humble, which I took to heart a bit because I think I’m a pretty humble person.
“When you hear things like that from your ex-coach, it becomes a bit of writing on the wall.
“It was a pretty short (conversation), about 10 minutes and obviously I didn’t play my best game in the Grand Final. It was a hard preparation for me, I played one (full) game in five weeks so obviously (he said) things about that I didn’t play that well.
“I thought my preparation couldn’t have been any better, I was just unlucky with three sub-games as well (in Round 22, the Qualifying Final and Preliminary Final).”
McRae also took issue post-game about Ginnivan’s decision to attend the Mooney Valley races the night before the Grand Final.
In hindsight, Ginnivan himself admitted that he probably wouldn’t attend a public event again immediately before such a big game.
“To be honest the only thing I regret from going to the races is if it affected anyone else’s pre-game or it if affected the coaches or players,” Ginnivan said.
“For me personally, I didn’t think it was that big of an issue for myself because I knew if I was out for dinner with a mate or at home sitting on the couch, I’d be doing the same thing.
“For me to get out and talk to some people and relax before the game (was the idea).
“(In hindsight) I’d be staying at home just because it’s an easier option to do that.”
Ginnivan played 42 games for the Magpies from 2021 to 2023 and has since played four games for the Hawks in 2024.
The small forward is averaging 14 disposals and 1.2 goals a game so far this campaign.
"Words of 'not being humble', which I took to heart a bit, because I think I'm a pretty humble person. When you hear things like that from your ex-coach, it becomes a bit of writing on the wall."
— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 10, 2024
Jack Ginnivan details his exit meeting at Collingwood. pic.twitter.com/enJrxM6gwd
