Jason Horne-Francis in telling Jack Ginnivan remark as midfielder hits back over fitness swipe

Jason Horne-Francis has taken a little swipe at rival Jack Ginnivan after Ken Hinkley continues to cop fallout after his post-match antics in Port Adelaide's epic win. Ginnivan's social media dig at Port Adelaide backfired when Hinkley's men held on to a three-point victory in a thrilling contest last Friday.

Ginnivan caused a stir for a cocky reply to a post from Swans star Brodie Grundy that said: "See u in 14 days", suggesting the Hawks would dispose of the Power and play Sydney in the preliminary final. And with the Hawks players devastated after the loss, Hinkley took a moment to get back at Ginnivan.

The Port Adelaide coach said: “you’re not flying, Jack”, in reference to Ginnivan's social media post. Plenty has been made of the reaction with Hinkley fined $20,000 for his post-match antics. Many AFL greats believe Hinkley should have known better than to taunt Ginnivan.

Jordan Lewis labelled the coach's actions as 'embarrassing', while Luke Hodge also took a swipe at Hinkley's post-match gesture. Others feel the Hawthorn superstar should have expected a bit of reaction if the Hawks lost.

And Port Adelaide midfielder Horne-Francis has taken the opportunity to remind Ginnivan his comments motivated his side ahead of the clash. Speaking on SEN Radio, Horne-Francis said the team felt 'dismissed' ahead of the clash, which came after a humiliating defeat at the hands of Geelong in the first week of the AFL finals.

“I think for us, Jack said what he said throughout the week and it did probably fire us boys up a bit and maybe a few of the coaches as well, but I think for us we don’t like being dismissed and we finished second on the ladder and got the double chance for a reason,” Horne-Francis said on Wednesday.

“We just thought with that comment that he dismissed us a little bit, which we didn’t like. I guess throughout the game there probably wasn’t much chat, it was just about getting to work and getting into a preliminary final, that was the goal.”

Hawthorn legend Hodge was one of Ginnivan's biggest critics after the pre-game taunt having suggested the 21-year-old had given Port Adelaide more ammunition to bounce back.

Horne-Francis shuts down fitness concerns

This week, Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes took aim at Horne-Francis for limping off the field with two minutes to go with cramp. Cornes was unimpressed with the key midfielder not taking part in the game's finale and questioned his fitness heading into the AFL finals series.

Horne-Francis was clearly unable to continue and admitted he was also taken by surprise when he hobbled off. However, the midfielder has quelled any suggestions he isn't prepared to step-up against the Sydney Swans on Friday.

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“It was a bit unusual to cramp up late in the season. I guess there was a bit more game time, a bit more load, a bit more pressure and the nerves were high, that could be the case,” he added. “I’ve recovered well and feel good for this week.”

John Longmire facing Taylor Adams selection call

Port Adelaide will face the Swans who come off a week's rest. Swans coach John Longmire is still yet to decide who replaces injured captain Callum Mills on Friday night with Taylor Adams the favourite to step in.