- Jack Ginnivan happy to play the villain for Hawthorn
Hawthorn star Jack Ginnivan knows he will receive a torrid reception on Friday night from Adelaide Crows fans during the clubs’ finals clash – and he has showed he is embracing the hate with a sneaky gesture.
The small forward, 22, lit the fuse when he arrived in the City of Churches on Thursday wearing teal socks, which happen to be the club colours of the Crows’ arch rivals, Port Adelaide.
Ginnivan ignored a scrum of reporters as he kept his headphones on at the airport – although he did record the media circus before later sharing it on Instagram.
Last month the controversial star generated headlines after ‘flipping the bird’ at Crows supporters following a defeat at the Adelaide Oval.
He knew a $1000 fine would follow from the AFL, but still posted on social media ‘best coin spent.’
Ginnivan then was confronted by a journalist on arrival at Adelaide airport, who did her best to antagonise the footy star.
She asked if the premiership-winner at Collingwood was a ‘sore loser’, which made Ginnivan smirk before he then labelled the reporter ’embarrassing.’
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell knows what is coming and earlier this week said he expects Ginnivan to be public enemy no.1 on Friday.
Hawthorn star Jack Ginnivan will be public enemy No.1 with Crows fans when the sides clash on Friday night. He arrived in Adelaide wearing teal socks (pictured) in a cheeky reference to the club’s arch rivals, Port
Last month the controversial star generated headlines after ‘flipping the bird’ at Crows supporters (pictured) following a defeat at the Adelaide Oval
In early August, Jack Ginnivan branded a Seven News TV reporter ’embarrassing’ after she aggressively approached him for an interview (pictured) as the Hawks star made his way into Adelaide airport
‘I can’t imagine he’s going to be welcomed with open arms, is he?,’ he said.
‘We’re not concerned about the off-field stuff. What’s great about Jack at the moment is everyone’s talking about what he’s doing on the field, he’s been in great form for us.
‘We’ll try and protect him as best we can at the airport after what I’m sure is gonna be a challenging (environment).
‘We will land and there’s going to be people there…but we’ve got a game to prepare for and that’ll be our clear focus.’
Adding to the drama is the fact Ginnivan is under an injury cloud due to a hamstring issue.
He has been in vintage form, booting three goals in his team’s last-start win against the GWS Giants.
The winner of Friday’s clash will take on Geelong in a preliminary final at the MCG.
