Aeroplane celly? Ginnivan on standby as Port v Hawks rivalry gathers steam

Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan might just have a little celebration in his back pocket for this Sunday’s grudge match with Port Adelaide.

Gather Round will close on Sunday night with popcorn potential when Port hosts the Hawks at the Adelaide Oval - the scene of last year’s dramatic Semi Final.

On that occasion, after the Power won by three points, coach Ken Hinkley mimicked the movements of an aeroplane directed at Ginnivan who had days earlier made an unwanted faux pas on social media - “see u in 14 days”.

Hinkley’s actions were to suggest - we’ll be getting on the plane to Sydney, not you.

The initial Ginnivan taunt was used as motivation by the Power and the dramatic nature of the cut-throat final whipped the Port-Hawks rivalry into a frenzy. It finished with a win to the Power but a significant fine for Hinkley.

Ahead of this Sunday’s next edition, Ginnivan was asked if the Hawks were building it up.

“I son’t think so,” Ginnivan said on Channel 9’s Gather Round Barossa special.

“We’ve started the season so well, and it’s pretty obvious that the AFL put it last (in Gather Round).

“I’m sure they’re going to use it to promote the game as much as possible.

“For us it’s another game and we’re just excited to play whoever comes our way and hopefully keep the season rolling.”

Known for the odd goal celebration, Ginnivan alluded to the potential of an ‘aeroplane celly’ if he manages to snag a goal on the weekend.

“You’ll have to wait to see if I kick one,” he added.

“But I’m sure I’m going to have it in the back pocket.”

Referencing the $20,000 sanction Hinkley copped for his actions, Nathan Buckley felt at the time it was a bit harsh.

That feeling hasn’t changed but he does agree the situation has true marketing potential for the AFL.

“I thought it was overs,” he said on SEN’s Whateley.

“The AFL are getting more than their money’s worth from a marketing perspective, and they will use it.

“That’s just the industry.”

Gerard Whateley added: “They should use it.

“It’s the perfect weekend for it. We’re all gathered here and it’s the natural climax to it.

“I’m not critical in any way. This is exactly what you should do as someone who is responsible for the fixture.

“This is a real rivalry with something that is so tangible.”

SEN Breakfast’s Garry Lyon is in Adelaide for the massive weekend of South Australian footy and has noticed the rivalry starting to build.

“That rivalry between Hawthorn and Port Adelaide - don’t listen to the players, don’t listen to the coaches, don’t listen to everyone who is talking it down - that rivalry is alive and well,” Lyon said.

“It is going to be a great finale to what I hope is a magnificent Gather Round here in Adelaide.”

The 1-3 Power take on the 4-0 Hawks from 7:20pm AEST (6:50pm ACST) at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday night.