Tasmania Devils Respond to Jack Ginnivan's 'Elite' Melbourne Lifestyle Comments

The Tasmania Devils have responded humorously to AFL player Jack Ginnivan's comments about his Melbourne lifestyle being too "elite" for a move to the newest AFL club. Ginnivan, a Hawthorn forward, had questioned the Devils' ability to attract young players from major cities, suggesting a move south would require a substantial financial incentive.

"To be honest, I don't think I could live in Tassie. My lifestyle in Melbourne is too elite to go down to Tassie. I just don't think I would be happy down there to be honest," Ginnivan stated on SEN. He added a lighthearted condition: "Look, if they offer me $2 million, I probably wouldn't say no."

In response, the Devils' official X (formerly Twitter) account posted, "Thinks he's on our target list and thinks he's worth $2 million." This playful retort acknowledged Ginnivan's remarks while subtly asserting the club's recruitment strategy.

Ginnivan further elaborated on the challenges Tasmania might face in recruiting, particularly from Melbourne and the Gold Coast. "I think it will be pretty challenging for Tassie, for young kids from Melbourne," he said. "Obviously, the lifestyle is amazing in Gold Coast and in Melbourne. I've got a few mates up in Goldy and everyone loves being around a bit of atmosphere."

He also noted the difficulty of leaving familiar surroundings, though he expressed confidence in the ability of inaugural Devils coach Ken Hinkley to make a compelling case. "It's going to be a tough challenge for them, but if someone can do it, Kenny can!" he remarked.

Despite Ginnivan's comments, the Tasmania Devils have already secured their first group of recruits. In September, the club unveiled eight inaugural players, including West Australian talent Axel Walsh and Victorians Jake Miller and Angus Brown. Seven of these players were signed through under-17 concessions, with local Tasmanian talent Hugh McCallum joining via a separate provision.

For Ginnivan, the immediate focus remains on his future with Hawthorn. Having joined the club after winning the 2023 premiership with Collingwood, he has become a key player under coach Sam Mitchell. Recent additions to Hawthorn, such as Zach Merrett and Ben King, have provided further motivation to stay. Ginnivan also quipped about the club's spending potentially impacting contract negotiations.

He expressed his desire to remain with the Hawks long-term, praising assistant coach Adrian Hickmott as the best coach he has worked with. "I'm keen to stay a Hawk for a long time. Hopefully we'll start the season off well and go from there," Ginnivan concluded.