- The Hawks will face Port Adelaide for a place in the preliminary final
- Ginnivan has already generated controversy in this final series.
- He’s gotten into trouble again for five simple words
AFL analysts have criticised Hawthorn controversy magnet Jack Ginnivan for creating another unnecessary distraction ahead of the Hawks’ elimination final against Port Adelaide.
Ginnivan had already stirred the mood by visiting a Richmond pub on the eve of Hawthorn’s first elimination final against the Western Bulldogs.
He then hit the hornet’s nest by mocking Bulldogs fans with a drinking gesture to celebrate a goal in their 4.15 (99) to 9.8 (62) victory.
The controversial star didn’t stop there, and on Friday night he kicked the opposition to the curb with four simple words.
His former Collingwood teammate had posted pictures on Instagram with his Sydney teammates after their derby win over GWS.
Ginnivan responded to the post with the comment “see you in 14 days”, implying the Hawks would easily overcome Port Adelaide to seal a place in the preliminary final against the Swans.
His comment attracted hundreds of comments, many of which criticized him for jumping the gun.
“One week at a time, young blood,” one posted.
“You’re an arrogant guy, aren’t you?” asked another.
“Coming from someone who did nothing for a girlfriend, you definitely have a lot of nerve,” another added with a laughing emoji.
The original post by former teammate Brodie Grundy that Ginnivan commented on
The Hawks’ young star made the gesture to return the applause to those who criticised him for going to the pub the night before an elimination final.
Others supported the cheeky comment.
“Need pub recommendations in Sydney?” one follower asked sarcastically.
“I like your bravado,” added another.
But Port Adelaide premiership winner and media personality Kane Cornes was not amused by the comment.
“Jack Ginnivan has done it again. He’s a distraction and he’s made everything about him again,” Cornes told SEN Sportsday.
‘He thinks he’s already won, he just has to come to Adelaide on Friday night first.
‘I mean, is there anyone who can read the room less than Jack Ginnivan?’
Cornes said the move could backfire because it could provide the motivation Port needs to bounce back from their opening week of finals defeats at the hands of Geelong.
“He’s doing great now and Hawthorn is very welcoming and happy for him to go to the pub before dinner and all that, like the celebrations… social media is great,” Cornes said.
‘But when you get ahead of yourself and it can be half a per cent extra motivation for Port Adelaide just to galvanise them ahead of Friday night… Ginnivan believes it’s already in the preliminary phase.
‘Why would I do that?’
Former Port Adelaide star Kane Cornes is not amused by Ginnivan’s antics in this finals series
Cornes said Ginnivan’s comment could inflame Port Adelaide’s players and backfire on the Hawks star.
This comes after Hawks coach Sam Mitchell defended his prized recruit for going to the pub before the Bulldogs game.
“Absolutely (it’s not a problem). I didn’t ask, I probably should have. I wonder how many players went out to dinner in a public place last night. I’m guessing maybe half,” Mitchell said after the game.
“I think most of us have watched football on Friday nights or Thursday nights in a public place for the better part of a year.”
But veteran journalist Caroline Wilson warned Ginnivan that he could be testing his coach.
“I don’t believe Sam Mitchell’s comments. We’ll see what happens. ‘Look at me, look at me’, that’s nonsense,” Wilson said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night.
‘You might feel nervous about being home alone and need to get out. But heading to one of Melbourne’s biggest pubs the night before?
“What if someone drunk had come up to him and punched him? That’s what happens sometimes in Richmond pubs.”
Friday’s elimination final between Port Adelaide and Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval kicks off at 7:40pm (AEST).