Hawthorn firebrand Jack Ginnivan has hinted that he has a special celebration ready to go if he kicks a goal during his side’s highly anticipated match-up against Port Adelaide on Sunday night.
Penciled in as the blockbuster game to conclude Gather Round, the clash will mark the first time the two teams have met since the fiery exchange between Hawks players Ginnivan and James Sicily and Power coach Ken Hinkley following Port’s semi-final win.
The post-match incident last September saw Hinkley leave his players to taunt Ginnivan before Hawks skipper Sicily intervened.
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Tensions could explode between the Power and Hawks on Sunday night. Getty/ Fox Sports
The situation was sparked after Ginnivan took to Instagram to comment on a post by former Collingwood teammate Brodie Grundy after Sydney’s qualifying final win.
Now playing at the Swans, Grundy posted a series of selfies with teammates afterwards, to which Ginnivan replied: “See u in 14 days”.
Ginnivan’s Hawks would have met Grundy’s Swans in a preliminary final at the SCG had they progressed past Port Adelaide in the semi.
According to Hinkley and several Port players, the comment from the controversial forward was taken as a lack of respect for the challenge Port presented and was used as motivation for the Power.
Following the match, Hinkley reportedly made an aeroplane gesture before shouting at Ginnivan, “You won’t be flying to Sydney, Jack”.
This suggested that the Power would be the ones travelling to Sydney to face the Swans while the Hawks would be flying home.
Hinkley was subsequently handed a $20,000 fine for his role in the incident.
Despite tension still thought to be sitting under the surface between the Hawks and Power, Ginnivan said there was no added emotion around the rematch.
“It’s pretty obvious that the AFL put it last [in Gather Round], and I’m sure they are going to use the game to promote the game as much as possible. But for us, it’s another game,” he told Nine’s Gather Round in the Barossa program on Tuesday night.
“We’re excited to play whoever comes our way and hopefully keep the season rolling.”
However, it has been suggested that Ginnivan might have a special goal celebration or victory salute up his long sleeve.
Asked if an aeroplane celebration could come out, Ginnivan played the idea down but admitted he was prepared if he is to kick a goal.
“Oh, we’ll have to wait to see if I kick one, but I’m sure I’m going to have it in the back pocket,” he said.
The Power and Hawks will bring the curtains down on Gather Round at 7:20pm AEST on Sunday.
