‘Why would he put himself in that position?’ Hawthorn Hawks defend Jack Ginnivan’s night out

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was aware that Jack Ginnivan was heading to a Richmond pub on Thursday night, less than 24 hours before the Hawks were set to face the Western Bulldogs in an elimination final at the MCG.

Ginnivan, 21, was pictured with a drink in-hand at the London Tavern in Richmond, although the club said he was not drinking alcohol and had only a soft drink on what was a quiet night out for dinner with friends.

The star forward had sought permission from Mitchell to spend a few hours out watching the first half of the qualifying final between Geelong and Port Adelaide.

“He was out for dinner and home by half-time of the game. Sam knew about it and had no issues,” a Hawks spokesman said.

Ginnivan posted a photo of a cup of tea to X at home at 9.13pm.

His night out was a source of debate as it came almost a year after the then-Collingwood player spent grand final eve at the Moonee Valley races ahead of the clash between the Magpies and the Lions. In his post-match press conference, Magpies coach Craig McRae later said Ginnivan had not “read the room”. Ginnivan was later traded to the Hawks.

Port Adelaide premiership great Kane Cornes, now a prominent commentator, on Friday questioned why Ginnivan had again allowed himself to become an unwanted distraction for the club.

“The Jack Ginnivan thing fascinates me. I don’t know why he would put himself in that position and cause a distraction,” Cornes told SEN on Friday.