Hawthorn Coach Backs Ginnivan After Pub Dinner

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell defended forward Jack Ginnivan's pub visit before the Hawks' elimination final, calling it 'absolutely' a non-issue. Ginnivan celebrated a goal by mimicking drinking a beer, which raised eyebrows after he was seen at a Richmond pub the night before the game. Mitchell was aware of Ginnivan's plans and noted that many players likely enjoyed public outings that evening. The young forward performed well during the match, achieving 15 disposals and three goal assists, contributing to the Hawks' 37-point victory over the Western Bulldogs. Mitchell praised the resilience of his team and highlighted the youthful energy of first-year forwards Nick Watson and Calsher Dear. Ginnivan also communicated with Mitchell before his outing, reassuring that he kept his night low-key and was home by halftime.