Hawks boss impressed by young gun's honest self-admission after Instagram comment

Hawthorn boss Sam Mitchell has commended young Hawk Jack Ginnivan following his honest self-admission in an interview with Channel Seven.

Amidst the 21-year-old’s Brownlow Medal night preparation, Ginnivan was questioned regarding his now infamous Instagram comment that dismissed Port Adelaide in the lead up to their Semi-Final contest.

The comment, which sparked immense debate and a whirlwind of controversy in its aftermath, has led to Ginnivan admitting that he needs to “grow up”, given the sufficient discourse that has come as a result of his action.

“Upon reflection, probably not the smartest idea,” Ginnivan told Channel Seven regarding the comment.

“But the leaders and the coach had my full support and they backed me in.

“I’ve just got to grow up I guess and be a bit smarter.”

In the wake of the Hawk’s reflection, coach Sam Mitchell has expressed his appreciation for the youngster’s notion.

“I saw his comments… I was impressed,” Mitchell told SEN Breakfast.

“I thought the fact that he put that out there, he’s 21 years old, and if you think about the amount of things that he has had in his life up to this point, some of them he has brought onto himself but a lot of it has just been public interest for who knows what reason.

“I think he has had an enormous amount of focus for someone so young, and the fact that he recognises now that it is time for him to grow up, I think, hats off to him.

“It’s not going to be perfect, I don’t think he’s going to be sound, I’m sure at some point that (statement) will be played back in my face or his face and said, ‘oh I thought you were trying to grow up Jack’, because it’s not perfect.

“I think all of us that go from realising that there is some growing up to do to actually doing it, I think there is going to be some teething issues.

“But I’m glad that he has recognised that that is something that he needs to do.”