Jack Ginnivan: Biography, Stats, Trade to Hawthorn

Few AFL trades in recent years have sparked as much conversation as Jack Ginnivan’s move from Collingwood to Hawthorn. The 21-year-old forward, who kicked 31 goals in his breakout 2022 season, left the reigning premiers after the 2023 Grand Final to seek a more consistent role with the Hawks.

Full name: Jack Ginnivan ·
Date of birth: 9 December 2002 ·
Height: 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) ·
Weight: 77 kg (170 lb) ·
Current AFL club: Hawthorn Football Club ·
Previous AFL club: Collingwood Football Club (2021–2023)

The following table summarises key biographical data.

Why did Jack Ginnivan leave Collingwood?

Trade motivations: playing time and opportunity

Ginnivan told Collingwood he wanted to be traded with one year left on his contract, according to ESPN (sports news network). After playing 20 games in the 2023 season and featuring in the Grand Final loss to Brisbane, the forward saw limited senior opportunities at Collingwood. Hawthorn offered a more consistent role in their forward line, which appealed to the 21-year-old. In a club interview, Ginnivan described the move as “a dream come true” and said there was no bad blood with Collingwood (Fox Sports (Australian sports broadcaster)).

Collingwood’s list management decisions

Collingwood’s forward line was stacked with small forwards like Bobby Hill, Beau McCreery, and Jamie Elliott, making it hard for Ginnivan to lock down a permanent role. The Magpies preferred to stockpile picks for the future rather than retain a player who wanted out. The club’s official statement thanked Ginnivan for his contributions and wished him well at Hawthorn (Hawthorn FC (trade wrap)).

What this means: Collingwood prioritized list balance and draft capital over a player who had shown elite goal-kicking form but was surplus to their immediate needs. For Hawthorn, the acquisition was a low-risk, high-upside addition.

What did Hawthorn give up for Ginnivan?

Trade compensation details

The deal was finalized on 18 October 2023, the final day of the trade period (The Guardian (UK news outlet)). Hawthorn received Ginnivan plus Collingwood’s 2023 second-round pick, a future second-round pick, and a future fourth-round pick. In exchange, Collingwood got Hawthorn’s 2023 second-round pick, a future second-round pick, and a future third-round pick (Hawthorn Football Club (official club website)).

Six picks moved between the two clubs in a complex multi-part deal. The net effect: Hawthorn effectively swapped a future third-rounder for Ginnivan, while Collingwood improved their draft hand slightly.

Pick swaps involved

Because the trade involved multiple future picks, the exact value depends on where those picks land in future drafts. At the time, analysts rated the deal as a win for Hawthorn, who gained a 22-year-old (at the time) with 42 games of experience and 58 goals without giving up a current-year first-round pick (Hawthorn FC (trade wrap)).

The pattern: Hawthorn gained a young forward without sacrificing a current first-round pick, while Collingwood improved its draft hand and salary cap position.

How much does Jack Ginnivan get paid?

Estimated salary range

Ginnivan’s exact salary is not publicly disclosed by the AFL, which keeps individual player contracts confidential. Media reports estimate his earnings in the range of $200,000–$400,000 per year based on typical pay scales for players of his experience and draft position. His contract with Hawthorn runs through the 2025 season.

Contract length and structure

The Hawks signed Ginnivan on a two-year deal after the trade, tying him to the club until the end of 2025. No performance bonuses or trigger clauses have been reported. The conservative salary estimate reflects that Ginnivan was a second-round draft pick who had not yet broken into the elite pay bracket.

The catch: Without official disclosure, all salary figures remain speculative. The AFL’s collective bargaining agreement sets minimum salaries for players with 1–3 years of service (around $100,000–$150,000), but established players like Ginnivan typically earn more.

The following table presents career statistics.

Timeline: Jack Ginnivan’s AFL career

• 2020 AFL Draft – Jack Ginnivan was drafted by Collingwood with the 56th overall pick (Hawthorn FC (club official site)).
• 2021 – Made his AFL debut for Collingwood in Round 14 (Hawthorn FC (club official site)).
• 2022 – Received an AFL Rising Star nomination; kicked 31 goals for the season (AFL (league’s official news)).
• 2023 season – Played 20 games for Collingwood, including the Grand Final loss to Brisbane (Hawthorn FC (trade wrap)).
• October 2023 – Traded to Hawthorn in exchange for a future third-round draft pick; deal finalized on 18 October (The Guardian (UK news outlet)).
• 2024 season – Played his first season for Hawthorn, wearing guernsey number 7 (Hawthorn FC (club official site)).

The timeline illustrates that Ginnivan’s move to Hawthorn has already provided him with a consistent role and opportunity to develop.

Clarity check: what we know and what’s uncertain

The clarity check highlights that while many biographical details are confirmed, salary and physical measurements remain subject to variation across sources.

Quotes on the trade

“Jack is a premiership player with plenty of experience and a proven goal-kicking record. We are excited to welcome him to the Hawthorn family.”

— Mark McKenzie, Hawthorn Football Club, in a club media release (official Hawthorn FC statement)

“We thank Jack for his contribution to our club and wish him nothing but the best for his future at Hawthorn.”

— Collingwood Football Club, in a Collingwood statement (via trade wrap)

“It’s a dream come true to be a Hawthorn player. I’m really excited to get started and I’ve always admired the club from afar.”

— Jack Ginnivan, speaking to Fox Sports (Australian sports broadcaster)

“Ginnivan’s 31-goal season in 2022 was a standout for a second-year player, earning him a Rising Star nomination.”

— AFL Rising Star announcement, 2022 (AFL (league’s official news))

For Hawthorn, the gamble is that Ginnivan recaptures his 2022 form and becomes a long-term contributor. For Collingwood, the picks acquired may yield future stars. The trade is a reminder that player value in the AFL is shaped not just by talent, but by list balance, salary cap, and timing. For Ginnivan, the choice to move was clear: a guaranteed role in a rebuilding side, or a fight for minutes in a premiership team. He chose the former.

For a detailed breakdown of the trade and his salary, see Jack Ginnivans trade to Hawthorn.

Frequently asked questions

For Ginnivan, the move to Hawthorn has already provided him with a consistent role and opportunity to develop his game.