This was published 9 months ago
Once again, Jack Ginnivan has played the Adelaide media on a break.
Forty-one days after being harangued by a reporter as he walked into Adelaide airport following a childish middle finger to the crowd the previous night, “Ginni” returned to the scene of the crime.
This time, one camera turned into four. Seven, Nine, Ten and Fox all sent one (where was the ABC?!) and for each camera, there was one reporter.
Well, it’s fair to say there’s a bit happening at the Deeees right now.
They officially stepped up their hunt for a new coach on Monday, with hot favourite Nathan Buckley impressing in his first interview.
He wasn’t at the club’s best-and-fairest night at Centrepoint on Tuesday evening, however, where Max Gawn won his third Bluey Truscott Medal. But then, neither was sacked coach Simon Goodwin, despite being invited.
Also of note: Christian Petracca (who came second, funnily enough) and Clayton Oliver (seventh), were awarded life membership.
One of the greatest small forwards of all time, Eddie Betts, has emerged as a crucial figure in the quest to bring Bobby Hill back into the Collingwood team, in the hope Hill can propel the Magpies to a second flag in three seasons.
As Collingwood players prepare to put their feet up and enjoy a week off, following their epic qualifying final win over Adelaide, word has reached us that Betts has been working closely behind the scenes with Hill as the 2023 Norm Smith medallist deals with personal problems.
Those close to Hill believe Betts, the former Adelaide and Carlton great, has breathed new life into resurrecting Hill’s season, which looked over only weeks ago.
Once again, the Adelaide Football Club has displayed immense ineptitude when it comes to taking responsibility for its actions.
The classless booing by Crows fans of Collingwood star Isaac Quaynor was matched only by Adelaide’s classless response 12 hours later.
“We want members and footy fans to be barracking and passionate however, they should do so respectfully and any behaviour contrary to that is disappointing and not appropriate.”
What a shocking statement.
“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. We have just begun our descent into Melbourne and will be arriving approximately five minutes ahead of schedule. Please make sure your tray tables are up and your seat-backs are in their upright position. Once again it’s been a pleasure to have you on board and ... GO PIES.”
It’s probably one of the more entertaining announcements I’ve heard on a flight and the majority of passengers on the plane seemed to like it, too. Collingwood players turned to each other and chuckled, while a few (hungover looking) Magpie supporters lifted their scarves and cheered.
You have to feel for Adelaide’s list manager, Justin Reid, who was now deep in enemy territory as the plane touched down in Melbourne on Friday after the qualifying final win over the Crows. He wasn’t wearing club colours so you needed an eagle eye to spot him.
Collingwood’s flight to Adelaide was a little like their captain’s run earlier in the morning; quiet and professional.
There was no high-fiving and there was little fanfare – at least until Nick Daicos was mobbed for selfies while waiting at the baggage carousel.
This was the mood of a team who have come here to do a job.
We are on the eve of a qualifying final, so I thought it best to head down to the home of the biggest team in the land to watch their captain’s run.
I’ve got to say, I was expecting a slightly more energetic atmosphere. But more on that later.
Early team news has made its way across my desk (actually, lap, given I’m writing this in the back seat of an Uber on the way to the airport).
Big Mason Cox is (finally) in for his first game since round 20, while eight-gamer Wil Parker will also be brought in. My mail is Parker is going to tag dangerous Adelaide forward Ben Keays.
Hutchy must have lost my number. That’s the only reasonable explanation.
Because I’ve been ghosted. I called, I texted. But my queries about Gold Coast and Grange received no reply from Craig Hutchison. I have been left on read.
You would have read the details in my report yesterday: in 2010, Hutchison was overheard by several AFL bigwigs at the time – Gillon McLachlan, Andrew Dillon and Simon Lethlean – scoffing that the Suns would easily make finals in their first season.
In 14 seasons of football, the Gold Coast Suns’ lack of success has cost the competition a great deal.
But on a personal level, it’s unlikely that anyone has coughed up more than media mogul Craig Hutchison.
It all started late in 2010, on the balcony of the sun-drenched Burleigh Pavilion. Hutchison – who didn’t wield the power and influence he does now – was overheard scoffing at the amount of concessions that had been handed to the Suns, who were due to enter the competition the following season.
They’re teammates, close mates and golf mates. But that doesn’t mean Hawks Mitch Lewis and Luke Breust aren’t competitive.
And when they’re not on the footy field it’s likely you’ll find them shooting in the 70s (that’s really good) at one of Victoria’s elite golf courses.
Lewis, who is one of four tall Hawthorn forwards fighting for a spot in Sam Mitchell’s team ahead of their cut-throat final against GWS, was tactically subbed off in last week’s narrow loss to Brisbane.