Fox Footy commentator Dwayne Russell called it before it even happened.

“Will he give them the aeroplane here, Jack, back to Kenny, if he kicks it?”

Granted, it wasn’t a long take-off from the tarmac. It was a watered-down, almost sheepish recreation, but Jack Ginnivan had his get-back moment at Ken Hinkley’s expense on Saturday afternoon at UTAS Stadium.

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With the result beyond doubt — Hawthorn leading Port Adelaide by 33 points with six minutes remaining in the final term — Ginnivan converted a set shot from about 40 metres out before spreading his arms wide to mimic Hinkley’s taunt after the Power’s dramatic semi-final win last September.

That act earned Hinkley a highly-controversial $20,000 fine from the AFL, and after Ginnivan wasn’t allowed to have his moment at Gather Round earlier in the season — held goalless as Port Adelaide romped to a 30-point win in April — he took his opportunity in Tassie in lower-stakes circumstances.

But Hinkley took Ginnivan’s act “in great spirits” as the Fox Footy cameras panned to the outgoing mentor, who smiled in reaction.

“He’s laughing too, he gets it,” Bulldogs icon Brad Johnson said as the calling panel had broken into laughter.

Five-time Hawks premiership icon Dermott Brereton added: “Well done, Kenny. He’s a good man; he’s taken that in great spirits. Sometimes you’ve just got to lick your wounds, don’t you?”

Johnson said of Ginnivan’s celebration: “That’s a brilliant celebration. Not over the top, just flying low today.”

Former Hawks sharpshooter Ben Dixon added: “Just had the head down, wings out.”

Brereton said: “I’m applauding Ken for having a giggle at that. That’s like Kenny’s just stood up and said ‘touché’.”

Russell added: “Brilliant sportsmanship, really, from Kenny there, as the fans (with) a bit of pantomime booing as well when Kenny was shown on the big screen.”

After the final siren, as Hinkley made his way down the aisle from the coaches’ box to ground level, Hawthorn fans had their arms wide as Hinkley could only smile.

“Ken (is) enjoying it, really, the pantomime villain. AFL game him a $20,000 fine for taunting Jack Ginnivan with the aeroplane, but it’s given back to him now by the crowd, who are doing the aeroplane to him,” Russell said.

Ken Hinkley could only smile as Hawks supporters gave it to him with aeroplane gestures after full-time. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

In his post-game press conference, Hinkley reassured he had no qualms with Ginnivan’s antics, acknowledging “it was my turn today”.

“Payback’s a … I was going to say something else. Payback’s deserved,” Hinkley said.

“I have no problems with it … good for the game and theatre of the game and good on Jack… I won’t be one that sits here and (do) anything but acknowledge that it was my turn today.”

Veteran premiership forward Jack Gunston, who booted three goals on the day, told Dixon post-game the Hawks continued to embrace players’ individuality.

“Ginni, he loves the theatre. We love people being themselves out on the footy field,” Gunston told Fox Footy.

“Sam (Mitchell) embraces that, we all do, and you can do that (sort of stuff) when you get a win.”