Hawthorn Star's Car Stolen Ahead of AFL Match

Jack Ginnivan's Nissan taken from his Richmond home on eve of big game

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:51am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a car key fob against a pitch-black background, the metallic surface reflecting the harsh, direct lighting to create a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the theft of a professional athlete's vehicle.The theft of a rising AFL star's car highlights the unique pressures faced by high-profile athletes off the field.Richmond Today

Jack Ginnivan, a rising star player for the Hawthorn AFL club, had his car stolen from his Richmond home just as he was preparing for a crucial match in Adelaide. The timing of the theft, coming right before a high-profile event, has raised suspicions that this may have been a targeted crime rather than a random act.

Why it matters

Ginnivan is having a breakout season and has become a prominent figure in the AFL, with his own podcast and growing media profile. The theft of his car highlights the unique challenges and pressures faced by high-profile athletes, who must navigate both their sporting careers and intense public scrutiny.

The details

Ginnivan's Nissan was taken from his Richmond home, located near the team's training facilities, as he was getting ready to travel to Adelaide for Hawthorn's match as part of the AFL's Gather Round event. The timing of the theft, just before a big game, raises questions about whether this was a targeted crime rather than a random act of car theft.

  • Ginnivan's car was stolen from his Richmond home on April 12, 2026, the eve of Hawthorn's match in Adelaide.
  • The Gather Round event, which features multiple AFL matches in a single location, was scheduled for April 13-16, 2026.

The players

Jack Ginnivan

A rising star player for the Hawthorn AFL club who is having a career-best season and has become a prominent figure in the league, with his own podcast and growing media profile.

Craig McRae

Ginnivan's former coach at Collingwood, who had some strong words for the player after he was spotted at the races on the eve of a big game, leading to Ginnivan's trade to Hawthorn.

Tom Mitchell

A retired Brownlow medallist who discusses tactics with Ginnivan on the player's podcast.

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What they’re saying

“Read the room”

— Craig McRae, Former Collingwood coach

What’s next

Police are investigating the theft and are working to determine if it was a targeted crime or a random act. Ginnivan is expected to play in Hawthorn's match against Adelaide as scheduled.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the unique challenges and pressures faced by high-profile athletes like Jack Ginnivan, who must navigate both their sporting careers and intense public scrutiny. It serves as a reminder that these individuals are still human, with personal lives and vulnerabilities, despite their fame and success.