Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan is no stranger to headlines and he has divided AFL fans once again after his antics in the Hawks win on Thursday night.
The 22-year-old forward was at his cheeky, antagonising best during the Hawks’ 12.9 (81) to 8.11 (59) win over the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
With just over five minutes gone in the final quarter, Ginnivan broke the game open with a 70 metre sprint ending in a clever tap and a goal.
But it wasn’t the goal that drew attention, it was what came before it.
Ginnivan held the ball out and gestured toward the chasing Bulldogs defenders before slotting it home and high-fiving fans in the stands.
Fox Footy commentator Dwayne Russell applauded the scene as it happened.
Ginnivan has again divided the AFL world by taunting the Bulldogs before scoring the decisive goal on Thursday night
The young star took to social media to defend his actions, saying he just wanted to have fun while playing footy
The taunting before the goal went down like a lead balloon with Bulldogs supporters, while other footy fans were divided
‘Ginnivan, that was clever, he shows the ball and slams it into the second deck,’ he said.
‘You’ve gotta love him, even if you hate him.’
Ginnivan later addressed the reaction on social media, posting on X, ‘Why everyone wanna be so serious, bro can’t have fun… just wanna have fun & be a kid.’
That led to a host of footy fans applauding him for bringing personality into the game.
One fan replied, ‘What’s a little fun? Isn’t that what footy is about?’
Another posted, ‘With you Ginni. My daughter and I loved it. Never change.’
The celebration was liked on Instagram by fellow AFL players including Isaac Heeney and Bailey Smith, as well as Matildas icon Sam Kerr. But not everyone supported it.
Even Ginnivan’s own teammate Mabior Chol said he did not support his taunting before kicking the goal
However stand-in skipper Dylan Moore supported his young teammate saying it was just part of his personality
Hawthorn teammate Mabior Chol told ABC Radio, ‘I wasn’t a fan of it, to be honest.’
‘But it’s Ginnivan, what can you do. It’s him, it’s his personality. He’s had a massive few weeks, hopefully he can have a well earned rest [in Hawthorn’s bye].’
Stand-in Hawks captain Dylan Moore had a different view.
‘That’s Ginni being Ginni. When he’s at his best, he’s showboating a bit… I absolutely love that,’ Moore said.
Chol’s comment opened the door for further criticism.
‘You’re own teammate said he disliked what you did,’ one user posted.
Another wrote, ‘Absolute clown – totally bad sportsmanship all show.’
Some criticised him for bringing ‘American crap into our game.’
Hawthorn fans have defended Ginnivan, saying he was bringing energy and colour to the game
Former Saint Leigh Montagna also weighed in.
‘I don’t think there’s any need for it. He’s just setting himself up for when he does fail,’ he said.
Montagna warned the act only works when the team is winning.
‘Tonight it’s fine, but he doesn’t need to do it.’
But rival player Max Gawn from the Melbourne Demons defended Ginnivan.
‘Kozzie [Melbourne forward Kysaiah Pickett] does it from time to time. I don’t mind it,’ the Melbourne skipper said.
‘Hawthorn play their best footy when they’re up and showcasing their personalities.’
But even Gawn admitted, ‘That stuff can bite you in the ass.’
Melbourne Demons star Max Gawn even came out to bat for Ginnivan, but admitted he wouldn’t do it himself
He recalled a moment when Brody Grundy shushed the crowd, only for his team to later lose.
‘I would never do it – but then again, I’m never running into an open goal,’ Gawn laughed.
Two-time premiership Kangaroo David King also offered caution.
‘You can embarrass them, but don’t belittle them,’ King said, quoting former coach Denis Pagan.
He said taunting can spark payback in higher-stakes games, where opponents don’t forget.
‘You just make it about yourself,’ King said.
‘I think [coach] Sam [Mitchell] would be disappointed but gee whiz, if that’s all he’s got to be disappointed about, he’s going pretty well.’
Ginnivan’s latest antics have once again thrown him into the AFL spotlight.
He was suspended in 2023 after admitting to illicit drug use in a hotel bathroom, caught on video during pre-season.
He’s also drawn attention for ducking into tackles to win high-contact free kicks, a move that prompted rule clarification.
In 2024, a pre-game post aimed at Port Adelaide sparked backlash and fired up the opposition coach.
And earlier this year, Ginnivan missed a voluntary pre-season session – a move later confirmed as approved by coach Sam Mitchell.
