AFL confirms explosive Gather Round detail

AFL boss Andrew Dillon declared talks around hosting rights for Gather Round in 2027 are open as he denied double-standards from the league after confirmation the 2025 instalment will end with what looms as a fiery rematch between Port Adelaide and Hawthorn.

Port coach Ken Hinkley was fined $20,000 after being found guilty of conduct unbecoming by the AFL following an on-field verbal stoush first with Hawk antagonist Jack Ginnivan and then his skipper James Sicily after his team was victorious in last year’s semi-final at Adelaide Oval.

Ginnivan had laid the platform for the angst by posting a “see u in 14 days” message on Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy’s Instagram post before the clash, suggesting a walkover in Adelaide, which Hinkley didn’t let him forget.

As players mingled after the match, Hinkley allegedly yelled “you aren’t flying anywhere, Jack” to Ginnivan, sparking the exchange with Sicily and condemnation for the Port coach, including from his opposite number Sam Mitchell.

Hinkley later apologised and on Monday, after conformation of the match, Dillion denied any hypocrisy from the league for scheduling the clash despite coming down hard on the Port coach for his behaviour.

“Ultimately I think Port Adelaide could play anyone in Gather Round and it would be a sellout,” Dillon said.

“I think it will be a great game but whatever game Port Adelaide play at Adelaide Oval will be a great game.

“I think Port Adelaide playing anyone at any time was going to big, I think whenever they were going to play Hawthorn it was going to be a big game.

“I don’t think you will see the AFL leading with that (the Hinkley and Ginnivan narrative) I think you will see others leading with that.

“I think what we will be excited about is two teams that had an incredible season this year fighting it out on free to air in a fitting end to what will be a good weekend.”

For the first time Gather Round, which has been played in Adelaide for the past two seasons, will feature a match in the Barossa Valley with North Melbourne to take on the Gold Coast.

Hometown team Adelaide will open Gather Round in a Thursday night clash with Geelong, while Collingwood will take on Sydney in the prime-time Friday night slot.

In the other matches for the festival of footy in Adelaide, Essendon will play Melbourne, Carlton will clash with West Coast, the Western Bulldogs will take on premiers Brisbane, Richmond will play Fremantle and GWS will clash with St Kilda.

Adelaide has retained hosting rights for 2025 and 2o26 and Dillon said the location for 2027 was yet to be locked in.

He said the past two years had shown how well the concept worked in Adelaide.

“I’m sure we will be starting conversations with the premier on where Gather Round is in 2027 and beyond,” he said.

“I think that is up for negotiation and discussion but it is an incredible place for football South Australia.

“Adelaide Oval is such an iconic venue in the middle of town and I think the legacy piece that we have had at Mount Barker and what we have announced her at Lyndoch is just incredible.

“Those conversations will come over the next few months.”

Gather Round will run from Thursday, April 10 to Sunday, April 13.

FULL GATHER ROUND FIXTURE

Thursday April 10

Adelaide Crows vs Geelong (AO) 7.40pm AEST, 7.10pm local

Friday April 11

Collingwood vs Sydney (AO) 7.40pm AEST, 7.10pm local

Saturday April 12

North Melbourne vs Gold Coast (Barossa) 12.35pm AEST, 12.05pm local

Carlton vs West Coast (AO) 1.20pm AEST, 12.50pm local

Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions (Norwood) 4.15pm AEST, 3.45pm local

Melbourne vs Essendon (AO) 7.35pm AEST, 7.05pm local

Sunday April 13

Richmond vs Fremantle (Barossa) 12.35pm AEST, 12.05pm local

St Kilda vs GWS (Norwood) 3.20pm AEST, 2.50pm local

Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn (AO) 7.20pm AEST, 6.50pm local