Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan says it will be “tough challenge” for Tasmania to lure talented players from interstate as he again declared his intent to remain a Hawk long-term.
Ginnivan is out of contract at the end of 2027 when Tasmania has access to up to 18 uncontracted players from across the competition, but said his lifestyle in Melbourne was “too elite” to consider a move to the Apple Isle.
“To be honest, I don’t think I could live in Tassie. My lifestyle in Melbourne is too elite to go down to Tassie,” Ginnivan told SEN on Thursday.
“I just don’t think I would be able to go there. Look, if they offered me $2m, I probably wouldn’t say no.”
Ginnivan, 23, said he had friends from across the AFL in Melbourne and on the Gold Coast who he thought would be unwilling to relocate to join the 19th side.
“I think it will be pretty challenging for Tassie to get young kids from Melbourne. Obviously the lifestyle is amazing in Gold Coast and in Melbourne … I’ve got some mates up in ‘Goldie’ and I think everyone loves a bit of atmosphere,” he said.
“I think it will be a bit of challenge for Tassie to bring in young talent away from these places where you’ve lived for 20 years.
“It’s going to be a tough challenge, but if someone can do it, ‘Kenny’ (Hinkley) can.”
Ginnivan said he was “keen to stay a Hawk for a long time” but indicated contract talks were not an immediate priority as he approached the 2027 season.
“I was talking to mum and dad about it … when you think about it too much, it becomes too much, so you just let these things play out,” he said.
“Hopefully (the) Hawks still have enough money, after the last few years,” he joked.
“You’ve got ‘Daysy’ (Will Day) I think out of contract as well, so hopefully he doesn’t sign for $1.5m and have a monster year.
“But I’ve been loving the Hawks – we’re obviously in a great position with our list, and I love the coaches, Sam (Mitchell), and my forward line coach is the best coach I’ve ever had, Adrian Hickmott.
“I’m keen to stay a Hawk for a long time. We’ll hopefully start the season off well and then go from there.”
Ginnivan said he would travel to Gold Coast and Bali with his partner before preparing for the start of Hawthorn’s pre-season in late November.
