Collingwood boss hits back at speculation, details reason behind Ginnivan trade

According to Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly, Jack Ginnivan’s shocking transfer to Hawthorn had nothing to do with his night at Moonee Valley before to the grand final.

Kelly justified Collingwood’s decision to move Ginnivan following the purchase of Lachie Schultz, a former small forward for Fremantle, at a media appearance on Wednesday.

“The reality is when Lachie Schultz came, when we saw that opportunity, ‘Wrighty’ (football boss Graham Wright) and the guys had those other conversations,” Kelly stated on Wednesday.

“I think Jack is loved by all of us, and loved by a lot of supporters, but the reality is he has got a four-year deal at the club, (Hawthorn),” the Magpies chief added.

“He is a ripping guy, he is a lovely guy we had around the club, but there is a bigger opportunity for him, and he has got a secure contract for four years.

“It’s worked for him and we have got Lachie Schultz coming into our program… he is elite.”

Craig McRae openly voiced his dissatisfaction with Ginnivan’s preparation for the grand final eve, but Kelly insisted that it was unrelated to a trade.

“I assure you that’s not relevant to it. Everybody attempts to create something. I wrote out another email, which you may have seen, saying that people should stop talking garbage. They have no idea what they are discussing,” he remarked.

In other list news, Collingwood made the difficult decision to delist Kelly’s son, Will Kelly, who made his debut back in 2020 but has been hit with multiple injuries since.

Collingwood has advised Kelly that he will be considered to train with the Magpies over the pre-season to try and earn a spot back on the list through the Supplementary Selection Period.

Whilst it was ultimately a difficult decision, Kelly believed it was the right call for his son to seek opportunities elsewhere.

“As hard as it was for me to not have Will in our program, it’s the right decision for the program, because the people running the program made that decision in Fly and Wrighty,” he said.

“I also think maybe it’s not a bad thing that he is not around this club because there is a lot of stuff I have done and others have done.

“Maybe it’s a good fresh start for him.”

With the Magpies winning the premiership by four points against Brisbane, Kelly insists that the celebrations will soon end.

“You have got to move on and if you don’t, you don’t do that quickly – we are four or six weeks behind every other team in the competition for a very good reason, and a fun reason, but now we have got to get going,” he added.