AFL bad boy Jack Ginnivan in the spotlight again for ‘disrespectful’ social media commentary ahead of elimination final

AFL analysts have criticised Hawthorn controversy magnet Jack Ginnivan for providing yet another unnecessary distraction ahead of the Hawks’ elimination final against Port Adelaide.

Ginnivan had already caused a stir by going to a pub in Richmond on the eve of Hawthorn’s first elimination final against the Western Bulldogs.

He then went on to anger the gadflies by taunting Bulldogs fans with a drinking gesture to celebrate a goal in their 4.15 (99) to 9.8 (62) victory.

The controversial star wasn’t done yet and gave a kick up the backside with four simple words on Friday evening.

His former Collingwood teammate posted photos on Instagram with Sydney teammates following their derby win over GWS.

Ginnivan responded to the post with the comment ‘see you in 14 days’, implying that the Hawks would effortlessly beat Port Adelaide to secure a preliminary final spot against the Swans.

His comment prompted hundreds of responses, many of which accused him of being premature in his statements.

“Young blood week by week,” someone wrote.

“You’re an arrogant guy, aren’t you?” asked another.

“As someone who has done absolutely nothing in a girlfriend, you have some nerve,” another added with a laughing emoji.

The young Hawks star made the gesture to hit back at those who criticized him for going to the pub the night before an elimination final

Others agreed with the cheeky comment.

“Need any pub tips in Sydney?” one follower asked with a wink.

“I like your bravado,” added another.

But Port Adelaide championship winner and media personality Kane Cornes did not appreciate the comment.

“Jack Ginnivan has done it again. He’s a distraction and he’s made it all about himself again,” Cornes said on SEN Sportsday.

‘He thinks he’s already won, he has to get to Adelaide on Friday night first.

“I mean, is there anyone who is less capable of reading the atmosphere than Jack Ginnivan?”

According to Cornes, the move could backfire as it could give Port the motivation they need to recover from a first week in which they were thrashed by Geelong in the finals.

“Everything is working perfectly for him at the moment and Hawthorn are embracing him and they’re happy for him to go to the pub for dinner and all the celebrations… the social media is great,” Cornes said.

‘But if you get ahead of yourself and it could be an extra half per cent of motivation for Port Adelaide to just mobilise them for Friday night… Ginnivan thinks he’s already through to a Prelim.

“Why would he do that?”

Former Port Adelaide star Kane Cornes is not amused by Ginnivan’s antics in this finals series

Cornes said Ginnivan’s comment could inflame Port Adelaide’s players and backfire on the Hawks’ star player

This came after Hawks coach Sam Mitchell defended his best player for going to the pub before the Bulldogs game.

“Absolutely (no problem). I didn’t ask, I probably should have. I wonder how many players went out to eat in a public place last night? I think maybe half,” Mitchell said after the game.

‘I think most of us have watched football in a public place on a Friday or Thursday night for the better part of the year.’

But veteran journalist Caroline Wilson warned Ginnivan that he could be testing his coach.

“I don’t believe Sam Mitchell’s comments. Let’s just see what happens. ‘Look at me, look at me’ can’t go far enough,” Wilson said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night.

‘You might be nervous sitting at home alone and you might need to get out for a bit, but are you going to one of Melbourne’s biggest pubs the night before?

“What if someone had come up to him drunk and beat him up? That happens sometimes in pubs in Richmond.”

Friday’s elimination final between Port Adelaide and Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval kicks off at 7.40pm (AEST).