Gather Round 2025: Andrew Dillon addresses scheduling of Port Adelaide vs. Hawthorn to close footy festival

While the South Australian government are plotting to keep Gather Round permanently, Andrew Dillon says the AFL scheduling a Port-Hawks blockbuster isn’t a double standard.

AFL chief Andrew Dillon says scheduling the first meeting of Port Adelaide and Hawthorn since Power senior coach Ken Hinkley was fined $20,000 for “conduct unbecoming” as the closing game of next year’s Gather Round is not double standards by the league.

And Dillon says the league and the South Australian government will start discussing whether Gather Round continues to stay in the state after 2026 in the coming months as SA premier Peter Malinauskas continues to push for the footy festival to stay in the state.

Ahead of the full 2025 fixture being launched this week, the AFL announced the matches that would form the third Gather Round.

Held across Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval and new venue Barossa Park in Lyndoch, the 2025 Gather Round will end with Port Adelaide hosting Hawthorn in a blockbuster clash on the Sunday evening.

The Hawks and Power will meet again at Gather Round. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The clash will be the first between the two since their fiery semi-final and Hinkley’s post-game sledges with Hawthorn players.

After the Power’s thrilling three-point win Hinkley sledged Hawthorn livewire Jack Ginnivan for a pre-game Instagram post to ex-teammate turned Swan Brodie Grundy saying “see u in 14 days”.

Hinkley made an aeroplane gesture towards Ginnivan post-match and told him he would not be flying anywhere, leading to a heated exchange with Hawthorn skipper James Sicily.

The league fined Port Adelaide $20,000 for Hinkley’s actions, which it deemed conduct unbecoming.

Sicily and coach Sam Mitchell’s frosty remarks since the match only adds to the tension between the sides in the lead-up to their rematch.

When asked if it was hypocritical for the league to clamp down on Hinkley’s actions but then have the highly anticipated first meeting between Port and the Hawks to end Gather Round, Dillon said it would be a big clash regardless of when it was scheduled.

“Ultimately I think Port Adelaide could play anyone in Gather Round and it would be a sellout,” Dillon said.

“I think it will be a great game but whatever game Port Adelaide play at Adelaide Oval will be a great game.

“I think Port Adelaide playing anyone at any time was going to big, I think whenever they were going to play Hawthorn it was going to be a big game.

“I don’t think you will see the AFL leading with that (the Hinkley and Ginnivan narrative) I think you will see others leading with that.

“I think what we will be excited about is two teams that had an incredible season this year fighting it out on free to air in a fitting end to what will be a good weekend.”

Again the Norwood Food and Wine Festival will return for St Kilda and GWS at Norwood Oval on the Sunday afternoon, while both Dillon and Malinauskas said two games in the Barossa Valley would take the third Gather Round to another level.

This year there will not be a double header at Adelaide Oval on the Saturday, rather two separate games.

South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas wants Gather Round to never leave SA. Picture: Ben Clark

Malinauskas said it would allow for more tickets to be sold and give more fans an opportunity to see matches.

South Australia has Gather Round for 2025 and 2026 but Malinauskas has pushed for the state to be the permanent home of it.

Dillon said discussions about where Gather Round would be in 2027 would take place shortly, and SA was putting a strong case to hold onto it.

“I’m sure we will be starting conversations with the premier on where Gather Round is in 2027 and beyond,” he said.

“I think that is up for negotiation and discussion but it is an incredible place for football South Australia.

“Adelaide Oval is such an iconic venue in the middle of town and I think the legacy piece that we have had at Mount Barker and what we have announced her at Lyndoch is just incredible.

“Those conversations will come over the next few months.”