Tasmania Devils mock Ginnivan over reluctance to leave Melbourne
The Hawthorn forward says he wants to stay with the Hawks, while the Devils prepare to enter the AFL in 2028.
The Tasmania Devils have responded with a social media jibe after Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan said his preference for Melbourne’s lifestyle would make him reluctant to join the new AFL club.
Ginnivan, 23, said in an interview he did not think he would be happy living in Tasmania, before joking that an offer of A$2 million might change his mind. The Devils’ official X account responded by mocking the suggestion he was a recruitment target or worth that amount, posting a laughing video.
The forward said he wanted a long-term future at Hawthorn, praising senior coach Sam Mitchell and forwards coach Adrian Hickmott. He joined the Hawks from Collingwood after winning the 2023 premiership.
With Tasmania preparing for its AFL debut in 2028, Ginnivan said attracting young players from Melbourne and the Gold Coast would be difficult because of the lifestyle change. He nevertheless backed Devils coach Ken Hinkley as someone capable of meeting that recruitment challenge.
