Port Adelaide star reveals the inside story of how they used opponent’s shocking five-word text message to win finals match
Port Adelaide youngster Jase Burgoyne has revealed how his side used polarising Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan’s five-word text message to their advantage last Friday night.
The Hawks had been the feelgood story of the year but ultimately lost their semi-final to Port Adelaide by just three points – 11.9 (75) to 11.6 (72) – on Friday at Adelaide Oval.
While there were plenty of good vibes in the lead-up to the clash, there were also bitter ones after Ginnivan taunted Port Adelaide on social media.
Ginnivan, responding to an Instagram post by his former Magpies teammate, Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy, wrote: ‘see u in 14 days’, referring to next weekend’s preliminary final.
Those comments went down like a lead balloon with Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley, who returned serve at Ginnivan after the match as he engaged in a war of words with the 21-year-old.
Burgoyne, who had an outstanding match, has now revealed that Port Adelaide used the controversial comments as fuel.
‘We touched on it (Ginnivan’s comments) at the start of the week,’ Burgoyne told 3AW.
‘They brought it up on the projector and said it was a little bit disrespectful. I guess, a comment saying they can dismiss us like that.
Port Adelaide star Jase Burgoyne says the Power used Jack Ginnivan’s comment as fuel
Jack Ginnivan (pictured) had taunted Port Adelaide on social media during the week, telling Sydney player Brodie Grundy that he would see him in the preliminary final
‘But like I said, we were confident and we used that as fuel before the game… all the boys fed into it and it was a good win.’
Hinkley was handed a $20,000 fine for his antics following the match and Burgoyne says his coach knew he crossed the line and immediately regretted his actions.
‘Straight after the game we were in the changerooms and he said he regretted it instantly,’ explained Burgoyne.
‘He’s an emotional coach and playing footy, it’s an emotional game. He let his emotions get the best of him in the moment.’
Port coach Ken Hinkley taunted Hawthorn players following the final siren on Friday night
The Sydney Swans have lost their last eight matches against the Port Adelaide Power, a streak that Burgoyne hopes to continue on Friday night.
‘Coming into the game we are confident,’ he said.
‘The last time we played them we obviously beat them and it’s not going to change this week with the way we play.’
