“Boxing-style press conference”: Dwayne Russell's idea to pump up huge Gather Round fixture

Dwayne Russell believes the AFL should hold a joint press conference between Port Adelaide and Hawthorn ahead of their blockbuster Gather Round clash in 2025.

Russell's call comes on the back of the firey exchange between the two sides after last season's Semi-Final won by Port Adelaide when Power coach Ken Hinkley shared a verbal exchange with Hawks Jack Ginnivan and James Sicily.

To pump up the rematch even more, Russell believes a ‘boxing style’ press conference with key figures involved in the drama should take place ahead of the highly anticipated clash.

“Should the press conference for the Port Adelaide-Hawthorn rematch, actually have a giant long table?” Russell said on SEN’S Dwayne’s World.

“Ken Hinkley, James Sicily, Jack Ginnivan. Get them all there and do a boxing-style press conference.”

Ever since the fixture announcement, some have raised the issue of hypocrisy by the AFL after they fined Hinkley for his involvement in the post-game confrontation after the Power beat the Hawks in their Semi-Final.

Russell believes that if the AFL are going to benefit from this matchup, then they may as well go all out with it.

“And if you’re going to use it, you might as well use it to its absolute top level of its fixturing beauty,” Russell said.

“I reckon it’s a good idea if you’re going to do that AFL. You can hand Ken Hinkley back his cheque whilst you’re there.”