Jack Ginnivan’s eye-popping confession after Ken Hinkley drama

While Ken Hinkley’s outburst overshadowed Port’s big win, Jack Ginnivan quietly made a jaw-dropping confession over his Insta post.

Ken Hinkley and Jack Ginnivan. Photos: News Corp/Getty Images

After Ken Hinkley’s altercation with Hawthorn managed to overshadow Port Adelaide’s significant victory on Friday night, Hawks captain James Sicily faced the media on Saturday.

At a time when Hinkley should have been toasting a rousing 11.9 (75) to 11.6 (72) victory that may have saved his coaching career with the Power, he instead opted to spray Jack Ginnivan and then Sicily when the skipper intervened on his young teammate’s behalf.

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It all stemmed of course from Ginnivan’s social media post declaring the Hawks would be facing the Swans next week, a comment that was perceived as disrespect by the Power and referenced repeatedly in their preparations for Friday’s game.

As the dust was settling on the ordeal that has rocked the AFL landscape, Sicily dropped a bombshell about the entire ordeal.

Ken Hinkley post-match and Jack Ginnivan at Adelaide Airport on Saturday. Photos: News Corp/Getty Images

It turns out Ginnivan, a consistent antagonist who seems to relish skirting right on the edge on social media and with his goal celebrations, regrets stirring up the hornet’s nest with his “see u in 14 days” comment to Swans ruckman and ex-teammate Brodie Grundy.

“Jack openly admitted during the week to the leaders that he really wished he didn’t do it,” Sicily said in a stunning revelation.

“It’s all part of the learning. It was cheeky.

“I don’t think the game was lost or won on motivation because of it, it wasn’t necessarily a direct attack at Ken, at Port Adelaide.”

We will never know how much extra motivation the comment gave Port, but if it was rammed home at three quarter-time in a final address by Hinkley, it may just have proved the difference in the epic three-point win.

The Power celebrate after keeping their premiership hopes alive. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hawks captain James Sicily fronts the media on Saturday. Picture: Ben Clark

Hinkley had no issue confirming just how much it had been mentioned and helped motivate his side.

“A fair bit,” he said post-match. “And that’s probably why it got to the point it did.

“We as a footy club found it a little bit disrespectful and that’s why it gets to where it gets.”

For his part, Hinkley has since apologised repeatedly for his outburst and has also been issued a “please explain” by the AFL.

While many felt Hinkley was in the wrong, including Hawthorn greats Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis, others felt Ginnivan was most at fault amid suggestions Port’s issues extended beyond only the small forward.

Triple premiership Lion Jonathan Brown said on Fox Footy after the game “the karma bus has got them” and “Kenny would have used every bit of that”.

Ginnivan had another goal celebration ready...

at Adelaide Oval. (Photos by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Port players also suggested Ginnivan was not the only Hawthorn player who acted out of turn in their eyes.

“I think (the Hawks) talked all year and it’s a part of their team. It’s definitely where they get some energy from as a group,” Zak Butters told Fox Footy.

Hawks coach Sam Mitchell was proud of his captain for standing up for a teammate and also said he has no interest in a discussion with Hinkley about the spat.

The Port coach also felt it wasn’t appropriate for him to have any formal talks with Sicily or Ginnivan in the future.

There were, of course, some fans happy to stick the boot into Ginnivan on social media now that his comment backfired and it will instead be the Power heading to Sydney next week.

A few comments have appeared on some of Ginnivan’s past posts on Instagram.

Sam Mitchell was gutted after the narrow loss ended Hawthorn’s season. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“How’s that prelim treating ya?” one asked.

“What time you landing in Sydney next week?” another queried cheekily.

Another enjoyed declaring: “See you in 14 days.”

A fourth added: “See u in 188 days champ.”

We haven’t done the maths, but that’s roughly six months and around the time Ginnivan and the Hawks will return to the field of battle.

Port, meanwhile, has kept its season very much alive as it prepares to face the Swans at the SCG next Friday night.