'An isolated incident': Hawks defend young stars after junior clinic snub
Hawthorn footy boss Rob McCartney says Jack Ginnivan and Nick Watson's no-show at a junior coaching clinic on Sunday was an "isolated incident".
The small forwards were hired for a Junior Footy Stars clinic in Ivanhoe, in Melbourne's north-east, but bailed on the event on short notice citing illness.
The clinic was not organised by the Hawks and was scheduled for the morning after the club's Peter Crimmins Medal awards night.
READ MORE: Hewitt unimpressed by Davis Cup changes
READ MORE: Simmons makes brutally honest claim about NBA future
READ MORE: SBW's advice for Suaalii as Wallabies hype builds
Jack Ginnivan and Nick Watson ahead of the Hawk's third-round match. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Ginnivan, 21, and Watson, 19, quickly came under fire from parents whose children were left heartbroken when the pair failed to turn up.
Appearing on AFL Trade Radio on Friday, McCartney stated that the duo's absence was not an accurate reflection of their respect for footy fans and Hawthorn supporters.
"There is a need to first and foremost acknowledge the disappointment that the kids felt by not having our two players at a clinic," he said.
"It was obviously not organised by Hawthorn, but a clinic that was going to involve both Jack and Nick and we acknowledge that disappointment was real for those kids.
"The second part I want to say is that while their not being there is a reflection on that day, what I will say is that both these boys give a lot of time to kids, to supporters and fans throughout the entire journey."
In the pair's defence, McCartney said the youngsters give "more than most" when it comes to fan engagement and experience.
Jack Ginnivan and Nick Watson plan to attend a rescheduled clinic. AFL Photos via Getty Images
McCartney also confirmed that both Ginnivan and Watson's managers were working to reorganise the clinic for the children and their families who had purchased tickets.
"We just need to get the balance right. They might not have delivered on this day for those kids, but they do deliver on a regular basis. They are two players who actually give more than most," he said.
"Importantly, what has happened after this disappointment is that both the boys – and their management who have been dealing with this – have acknowledged that to try and repair some of the disappointment, they will inform those kids that they're going to run another clinic on another date.
"Again, is it ideal? No. But we have to take all of these things in the fullness of the picture and not in just an isolated incident."
