Ginnivan,whose professionalism had been questioned during his 42-game career at Collingwood,had been working in the gym at his new club’s headquarters.
The sight of Ginnivan in the brown and gold will be jarring for Magpies fans,who embraced the cheeky and talented goalsneak with the knack of frustrating rival players and supporters - and his own coach.
As a Collingwood premiership player,Ginnivan will forever have a connection to the Magpies,but he now gets to realise his childhood dream of playing for the club he barracked for as a kid.
“It’s a dream come true to don the brown and gold,finally,” Ginnivan told the Hawks website.
As a player,Sam Mitchell once took Ginnivan under his wing for a fan photo. As the Hawks coach,he will do the same figuratively speaking to bring out the best from the 20-year-old,who has created headlines off the field for deeds ranging in seriousness from attending the races the night before the grand final totaking an illicit substance.
“Growing up watching him,having his number on my back,those are the things you dream of as a little kid and for that to happen is so special,” Ginnivan said of teaming up with Mitchell.