Magpies young gun Jack Ginnivan has revealed harsh comments about his game have “definitely affected my mental health”, but says he has strong support around him.
Ginnivan was at the center of more debate in the football world after being involved in a controversial refereeing decision during his side’s 10th straight win against Port Adelaide on Saturday.
It put the 19-year-old back in the spotlight, having been in the headlines all season for his polarizing approach and ability to draw free kicks.
Stream every match in every round of the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership season live and ad-free on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14 days free now >
And Ginnivan admitted the heavy scrutiny has taken a toll on him.
“It’s definitely affected my mental health and all that stuff, but I’m here, happy, smiling, when you score goals and win it’s nice, so I can’t complain,” he told Fox Footy. after the match
“I’ve got some strong leaders around me, Darcy Moore, Callum Brown is one of my best mates, he’s looking after me. “My mum, my family are so amazing, they’re up here every week so I can’t complain . “Fly” (Craig McRae), he is a beautiful human, I love him even and he takes care of me every day.
The latest incident to have the football world talking came midway through the second term of Collingwood’s narrow win over the Power at the MCG after Ginnivan took possession of the ball inside the forward 50.
Ginnivan then appeared to turn into a tackle from Robbie Gray and stood high, prompting the referee to step on him for holding the ball.
Pies fans were very clear in letting their thoughts be known, booing loudly after the decision.
“Every time he comes up, there’s a question among football fans,” Fox Footy commentator Mark Howard said.
Riewoldt: ‘It was the right decision’ | 00:43
It comes after the AFL recently announced a crackdown on high-contact interpretation for players who huddle or shrug in a tackle, with umpires now tasked with paying to keep the ball.
But last week, the league admitted Ginnivan should have been awarded a free kick for a tackle on him by Essendon’s Mason Redman, but said the Magpie was responsible for the high contact.
Although St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt said he believed the referee made the right call in awarding Ginnivan the free-kick during Saturday’s clash against Port.
It came amid a strong first half for Ginnivan, with three goals, with Riewoldt praising the 19-year-old for performing while under such scrutiny.
“We’ve lost our minds over the last two weeks and this young man has been in the middle,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy at half-time.
“You’ve got to love the fact that he comes out here on the biggest stage and with all the noise, all the talk, despite the fact that he’s only a 19-year-old kid, he comes out this quarter and absolutely lights it up.
Ginnivan is tackled by Gray (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“It’s amazing to see him. I don’t think we’ve talked about a 22-year-old as much as we have this guy and what’s maybe been lost a little bit in all this is how well he’s played.”
Former Magpies manager Nathan Buckley also thought the incident was well officiated.
“There was one that wasn’t paid inside the forward 50 and he was a meter and a half away from the Port Adelaide defender and he knew what he was going to do before he got there,” he said.
“No evasive action was taken. I think one was fair enough, as was the gang.”
Others weren’t so pleased with the play’s handling of social media.