Hawthorn are preparing for a tense arrival at Adelaide Airport ahead of Friday’s semi-final, with coach Sam Mitchell acknowledging Jack Ginnivan is unlikely to receive a warm welcome.
The forward has been a lightning rod for controversy in Adelaide, most recently after an airport doorstop with a television reporter, and the club is already planning to shield him from the expected hostility.
“Not concerned about the off-field thing”
“I can’t imagine he’s going to be welcomed with open arms, is he?” Mitchell said before training on Wednesday.
MORE: Victoria set to host one game in AFL's Opening Round
“But we’re not concerned about the off-field thing. What’s great about Jack at the moment is everyone is talking about what he’s doing on the field — he’s been in great form. We’ll try and protect him as best we can at the airport … we’re going to land and there’s going to be people there and there’s going to be people wanting to discuss. But we have a game to prepare for, and that will be our clear focus. I hope everyone respects that.”
Ginnivan is no stranger to the Adelaide spotlight. Last year, a cheeky pre-game post on social media prompted Port coach Ken Hinkley’s infamous aeroplane taunt, which led to a near scuffle and a $20,000 fine.
Mitchell said the Hawks had built resilience over the past year and would not be daunted by the heated atmosphere at Adelaide Oval. “We haven’t handled every moment of this season at all, but what we have done is build capacity. We feel confident that we have every answer now.”
The Hawks will be forced into at least one change, with forward Calsher Dear sidelined by a hamstring injury.