Two Gin(nivan) and Tonics please
We talked to Jack Ginnivan's parents Craig and Deb about the Family Club, celebrations, interstate travel and more
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If there is one footballer on our current playing list that epitomises the very meaning of the term Hokball, it’s undoubtedly Jack Ginnivan.
And it is not hard to see where he gets his cheeky sense of humour from - just chewing the fat with his parents Craig and Deb.
Ginni had an incredible first season at the club where he embraced being in the brown and gold as much as we all embraced having him at the club.
It was a sense of freedom together with being heard, appreciated and loved that not only resonated with Jack, but with Craig and Deb as well.
“Sometimes there were a few dark days where you’re wearing the invisible cloak. At Hawthorn, which has been so great for me, you’re allowed to be free” - Jack Ginnivan on his freedom in the brown and gold.
“I feel like Jack's really in his happy place here.
It's lovely to be back, everyone has been so welcoming, and we all couldn't be happier.
They are the key themes that came out of our chat with the Ginnivans and resonate with the direction our club is heading in. Family, freedom, fun, welcoming, happiness, support and togetherness.
And on top of the feel good love-fest, we also got a sneak peak into the goal celebration that is ready for launch in 2025.
Enjoy the read — and the family.
AW: It must feel a little bit different than 12 months ago, being here at the family day.
C&D: Yeah, it's bit surreal being back at Hawthorn after a couple years at Collingwood. We brought Jack here as a as a little fella on Family Day when he was only three the first time, so it's good to be back in, back in Hawks territory.
AW: You guys must know what it's like as the Family Club because you've you've known about it your whole life. So to see the number of people here and to see what has happened over the last 12 months must be pretty special.
C&D: Yeah, we're really happy. I feel like Jack's really in his happy place here. It's lovely to be back, everyone has been so welcoming, and we all couldn't be happier.
AW: Last year I was speaking to the Hustwaite family about how as parents of players you guys have been embraced and there's a good social connection. How have you found that?
C&D: Yeah, they've been really good to us at inviting us to a few functions and stuff like that. So it's been been great to be part of that family again.
AW: Jack had a good day in the practice match yesterday - I think he kicked four goals.
C&D: He didn't tell me (huge smiles on Craig and Deb's faces)!
AW: So did he leave the ground and send you a text message straight away?
C&D: No and it's funny because I rang him a couple of days beforehand and he never replies, but he replied pretty quick to let me know that he kicked four goals!
AW: What has he said about the pre season so far?
C&D: He has just lacked a little bit of continuity because he's had a couple of niggly injuries, but they should be alright for now, and should be good.
AW: Given the meteoric rise of the club last year, are they talking about finals?
C&D: He never says "we're going to make finals", but they're always confident. If you're not confident of making finals then you shouldn't be in the business. But he doesn't come around at home and say that we're going to make this, and we're going to win this, and we're going to do that - he just does the work, and if you work hard enough it'll take care of itself.
AW: I know there were some previous issues which became very public at Collingwood. Do you feel like in the last 12 months they have evaporated and that your family has found it's home?
C&D: I feel like Jack is just so happy here. There is so much spotlight on everyone at Collingwood, because they're such a big club, and our whole family felt at times it was a bit of a struggle. So just having the spotlight off him, he can just go about his business, really enjoy his footy, and go out there and show people what he can really do. And we're all just happy to support him and glad that he's so happy.
AW: Have you spoken to Jack about plans for goals celebrations this year?
C&D: He has one ready and it will be against Port Adelaide. I reckon he'll get his arms out and do an aeroplane!
AW: The Daniel Harford airplane! I think everyone - especially Kenny will be looking forward to that!
One more just to finish off... do you guys attend every game and do you travel interstate? What are your movements throughout the year in terms of following Jack?
C&D: Well we booked to go to the Sydney Swans game last year for the Prelim, so we've booked again this year to go to the first game - we have some flight credits to use there. We try and get to most games - we haven't been to a Tasmanian game yet because it's so expensive, so we're just waiting for him to buy us a ticket to go to Tasmania.
AW: Well we are sure he'll read this, so will pass the message on! Thank you both so very much for your time and good luck for the season!
C&D: Really appreciate it - thank you. And keep up what you guys do - we love listening to the podcast.
Stay tuned to HI as we ramp up towards the start of the AFL Men’s season.
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I just love the fact that we have real characters back in the club.
We had them in the eighties but lost our way with conservative recruiting through the nineties.
Every grest winning club needs them - as the legendary Chicago Bulls coach, Phil Jackson,once said of Dennis Rodman,
"Every great team needs its cross dressing shaman lunatic to compliment its greatness.".....or something like that.
Another great concept Andrew as obviously I love the team and the game, but I'm always interested in the people themselves (in all forms) that make up our "Family Club". Hopefully the HI can continue with some "behind the scenes" interviews like this one which I thoroughly enjoyed, so thank you very much.