“That could’ve explained it”: McRae reveals why no Pies figures reached out to Ginnivan during trade call
Craig McRae believes the short timeframe between Jack Ginnivan’s trade request to Hawthorn and subsequent move last year may explain why no Magpies reached out to their now-former teammate, insisting “he was definitely wanted”.
Much of the buildup to Collingwood and Hawthorn’s Gather Round clash this week has focused on Ginnivan, who left the reigning premiers during the 2023 trade period and moved to Sam Mitchell’s side.
On the Tommy Talks podcast earlier this week, Ginnivan spoke about feeling unwanted at Collingwood in the time leading up to his decision to leave.
But McRae insists that’s not the case.
“That's his, maybe, recollection of it. He was definitely wanted," McRae told reporters on Friday ahead of Collingwood flying out to Gather Round.
“We love Jack. We still do. He's a premiership player, and he's always welcome at our club.
“We'll celebrate Jack whenever we have a reunion. He will always be a Collingwood player. We love Jack.”
Ginnivan told the podcast that no Magpies players or coaches reached out in an attempt to keep him at the club.
“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.
Given several Hawks spoke to Ginnivan, and the Hawthorn contract was three years longer, the 21-year-old said it was an easy decision in the end.
McRae had a theory for why no Pies figures spoke to Ginnivan.
“I do recall that. That was such a short period, to be honest,” McRae said.
“Graham Wright and I were made aware that this (the trade) was happening at short notice and it happened really quickly.
“So there was probably 12 hours of limbo and if that's a time that maybe others wouldn't have had awareness of what was going on, that could've explained it.”
Ginnivan joined the Hawks, his club of choice growing up, on October 18, the final day of the trade period. Only the day before was it reported that Collingwood was open to a trade, although speculation had been rising in the days preceding.
He eventually moved clubs for pick 33, a future second-round draft selection and a future third-round pick.
Ginnivan is averaging 15 possessions and a goal a game in his first three games in Hawks colours.
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