The 2025 AFL Gather Round is set to feature an exciting clash between Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, reigniting one of the league’s most intense rivalries. This match will take place after Port Adelaide’s dramatic victory over Hawthorn in the 2024 finals, where the Power triumphed by a nail-biting three points in one of the series’ most thrilling games. However, the game will be remembered not just for the close result, but for the heated post-match exchange between Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley and Hawthorn captain James Sicily.
After the game, Hinkley made headlines for taunting Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan, an act that led to a controversial fine. The incident, which occurred when Hinkley mocked Ginnivan with an “aeroplane” gesture and a comment, “You’re not flying, Jack,” was seen as a provocation stemming from Ginnivan’s earlier social media post. This post had stirred up tension by suggesting the Hawks would easily defeat Port Adelaide and progress to the preliminary final. The AFL subsequently fined Hinkley $20,000, a decision that has since sparked debate.
Hinkley later apologized for the outburst, acknowledging his behavior was out of line. However, the rivalry between the two clubs has only grown since that moment, setting the stage for an even more heated rematch in 2025. The AFL’s decision to place Port Adelaide against Hawthorn as the closing match of Gather Round is a strategic move that promises to draw significant attention. The game’s timing and the ongoing bad blood between the two teams have made this encounter one of the most highly anticipated of the year.
Despite the excitement surrounding the match, veteran sports journalist Gerard Whateley has called for the AFL to refund Hinkley’s $20,000 fine. Whateley argues that it would be hypocritical for the league to profit from the animosity between the clubs while still holding Hinkley accountable for the incident. He compared the AFL’s approach to that of a professional wrestling promotion, where rivalries and trash talk are embraced for entertainment value. Wh