Lisa Dennis
Talented Castlemaine Magpie Women’s footballer and 2022 premiership captain, Megan Ginnivan, has been selected to play for the St Kilda VFL Women’s side in 2023!
The announcement comes just a week after fellow Magpie Tia Davidge was selected to play in the same competition for Essendon and indicates the depth of talent in the 2022 Castlemaine Magpies Central Vic Women’s premiership side.
CFNC president Caleb Kuhle said Meg’s footy comeback had been nothing short of extraordinary.
“She captained our Senior Women’s Premiership side to victory last season after several years out of the sport. An agile midfielder, we can’t wait to see where Meg’s tenacity and drive take her this season,” Kuhle said.
Ginnivan follows her younger brother Jack into the elite football ranks with the young footballer currently in his third season at Collingwood in the AFL.
Meg told the Express she was absolutely thrilled to join the Saints.
“I was invited to a trial day back in September and have been training with the Saints and Collingwood since October while I decided which way I wanted to go,” Meg said.
In the end, St Kilda was the club Meg chose to call home.
The 26-year-old is elated to take the next step in her football journey.
Meg was part of the Castlemaine Football Netball Club Youth Girls squad that won their inaugural flag in the Bendigo Junior Football League Youth Girls competition back in 2013.
The side vying for back-to-back honours in 2014 and just falling short.
Meg had a spell from the sport in the intervening years finishing school and studying university at Ballarat before starting a career in human resources.
She will be juggling her full-time HR role with Petspiration Group (Petstock) with her training and match schedule.
“Apart from a couple of footy games at uni, I mainly played netball until I joined the inaugural Castlemaine Football Netball Club Women’s side in the Central Vic AFL Women’s competition in 2022,” Meg said.
“It was a massive honour to captain the side and be part of an incredible season, which culminated in a premiership win. It was pretty epic. It’s something I will never forget,” Meg said.
The footballer will still pull on the boots for the Castlemaine Magpies when her Saints commitments allow.
“It will open the door for someone to step up into the role,” Meg said.
The midfielder’s talent in the Central Vic comp brought her under the notice of VFL selectors.
Meg said she had already met some incredible athletes in her time training with the two VFL sides and she looked forward to continuing to develop her skills at this higher level of competition.
“I recently enjoyed my first practise match with the side and I can’t wait for our first game on March 25,” she said.
Meg said she would love to take the next step into the AFLW once day.
“At this stage I am just focusing on this opportunity. There is so much to learn. Just being able to play at VFL level is such an honour. I aim to give it my all,” she said.
