Collingwood footy boss Graham Wright has pressed that it was Jack Ginnivan's decision to request a trade to Hawthorn less than a month after tasting premiership success with the Pies.
Earlier in the trade window, Wright claimed that while Ginnivan's name had been rumoured with a shift, both he and the club hadn't fielded any calls in regards to the polarising forward.
However, well ahead of the trade deadline, Ginnivan was dealt to his boyhood club, becoming a Hawk in a trade that saw Collingwood earn Pick 33, a future second and a future third-round in return.
Speaking as the dust settled on the swiftly constructed deal, Wright told reporters that it was Ginnivan's call to move from Olympic Park to Waverley Park.
“It was Jack's decision to look elsewhere and in the end, we appreciate that. We accept it and we move on,” Wright said.
“It was yesterday afternoon we got word he had met with Hawthorn and was considering a move.
“We considered it overnight, he did (too) overnight, and we did a deal this morning.
“We are all big boys, it is a professional game and it is what it is. There are conversations happening all around the place, and we were fine.”
Ginnivan leaves the Magpies' fold as a premiership player, but with pushing the envelope an obvious element of the forward's game, it is yet to be seen whether the 20-year-old will receive a warm or frosty reception from the Magpie Army in 2024.
Still, as reported by News Corp, Hawthorn head coach, and Ginnivan's childhood hero, Sam Mitchell is keen to see the spotlight-accustomed youngster be himself when wearing brown and gold, both on and off the field.
Ginnivan's move will not only see him earn greater job security, but also a boost to his bottom line, with the Castlemaine native reportedly inking a four-year deal on an increased wage.
With Collingwood bringing former Docker Lachie Schultz in during the now-closed trade window, Ginnivan was sure to see himself slide down Craig McRae's offensive pecking order.
Yet, with Tyler Brockman flying from the Hawks' nest, landing with the Eagles, Hawthorn list boss Mark McKenzie stated there was a clear role for Ginnivan to play in Mitchell's rising side.
“He was a positional need, he was a talent, he is young, he impacts the scoreboard,” McKenzie said.
“Coming from a successful club, those are the types of players you need to look at. Those guys who have been in and out a little bit.”
After making his AFL debut during Round 19 of the 2021 season, Ginnivan donned the Pies' famous black and white stripes on a further 41 occasions, slotting 58 goals across the stretch.
