Hawthorn has warned in-form forward Jack Ginnivan to prepare for a hostile reception both when he lands in Adelaide for Friday night’s semi-final, and during the game itself.

The 22-year-old is in tremendous form, both with his play and with his celebrations.

Since Round 7, he’s one of five AFL players averaging at least 20 disposals and a goal. He kicked three majors in the elimination final win over GWS, celebrating one with a reference to the 6 7 meme.

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Ginnivan returns to Adelaide this week, the site of his infamous run-in with then-Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley after last year’s semi-final – when the coach pretended to be an aeroplane.

It’s also where he was involved in a bizarre airport doorstop interview earlier this season after giving the middle finger to Crows fans.

Asked if he was a bad sport by a Seven reporter, Ginnivan said she was “embarrassing”.

“Do you think I am going to speak to you,” he said, which prompted her reply, “haven’t you just?”

Jack Ginnivan of the Hawks celebrates kicking a goal during the AFL Elimination Final match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Hawthorn Hawks at ENGIE Stadium on September 06, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Now the Hawks have warned Ginnivan to expect questioning from reporters when he arrives in Adelaide on Thursday afternoon.

“Port Adelaide fans went after him in Gather Round, and then the Adelaide game is when he gave them a little middle finger salute, got a fine for that, stoked the fire again the next day and was doorstopped on he way out,” the Herald Sun’s Josh Barnes explained on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle.

“Hawthorn is preparing for a doorstop on the way in on Thursday when he arrives … they’re briefing Jack Ginnivan bout how to handle that.

“They have no issues with his behaviour at all, they love Jack Ginnivan inside and outside of the club, his work internally is marvelled at – he’s the first person to speak up in team meetings, they say, and his performance on the field over the past 10 weeks has been outstanding. He’s an All-Australian calibre player right now.”

Meanwhile Barnes said the Crows would not tell their fans not to boo because they feared the fans would then “do the opposite”.

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On Wednesday Hawks coach Sam Mitchell praised Ginnivan’s recent form but said he expects a hostile reception.

“I can’t imagine he’s gonna be welcomed with open arms, is he?” Mitchell said in his press conference.

“We’re not concerned about the off-field thing. 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’re gonna land and there’s gonna be people there and there’s gonna be people wanting to discuss but we’ve got a game to prepare for and that’ll be our clear focus, and I hope everyone respects that.”

Jack Ginnivan of the Hawks celebrates with team mates after kicking a goal during the AFL Elimination Final match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Hawthorn Hawks at ENGIE Stadium on September 06, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Asked about the crowd reaction, Mitchell said: “I don’t worry too much about that … I don’t think any of our players are the types that are gonna be effected by it.

“And if they are, then that’s resilience training that we need.”