Advertisement

AFL world blasts 'joke' detail as Ken Hinkley cops $20,000 fine over incident with Hawthorn

The sanction for the veteran coach has been met with anger across the AFL world.

andrew reid
·5-min read

The AFL world has reacted with anger over the $20,000 fine handed to Port Adelaide over Ken Hinkley's ugly post-match scenes with Hawthorn players on Friday night. Hinkley's decision to taunt Jack Ginnivan after the Power's tense three-point finals win over the Hawks sparked ugly scenes at Adelaide Oval and saw the veteran coach cop widespread backlash.

Hinkley apologised in his post-match press conference after making an aeroplane gesture and yelling out “you’re not flying, Jack”, in reference to Ginnivan's social media post that caused uproar in the lead-up to the game. The 21-year-old faced backlash 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.

Seen here, Ken Hinkley sledging Hawthorn after Port Adelaide's AFL finals win.
Ken Hinkley's sanction for his sledge towards Hawthorn has not sat well with many AFL fans. Pic: Getty

Following Hinkley's sledge for Ginnivan on Friday night, Hawthorn captain James Sicily stood up for his teammate and returned serve as angry words were exchanged between the Hawks skipper and the rival coach. It was a poor look and the unsavoury scenes erupted right before Hawthorn's guard of honour for 300-gamer Luke Breust, with Sicily remorseful at the fact he was still mouthing off at Hinkley while chairing his teammate off the ground.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was also visibly upset about the incident with his rival coach and did his best to remain calm during his post-match press conference. The ugly saga overshadowed a thrilling finals victory for Port, with the AFL explaining their sanction for Hinkley on Sunday.

"We understand it is a passionate game with a lot at stake for all clubs, however, Ken made a decision to engage with opposition players post-match - a decision he has since admitted was the wrong one," AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said. "Ken has acknowledged that his emotions got the better of him in the moment, however, as a senior coach his actions fell well below what is expected by the AFL.

"As we reiterated last week, opposition officials and players inappropriately engaging each other is something we don't want to see because of the potential to escalate and the example that it sets for football at lower levels and we are disappointed the moment took away from what was one of the great finals matches."

However, the AFL has been left fuming over Hinkley's $20,000 fine - the same amount handed to rival coach Alastair Clarkson for an alleged homophobic slur towards another player. Clarkson was accused of calling Jimmy Webster a "c*** sucker" during a game in the pre-season, and later apologised.

The fine also matched that given to GWS after football boss Jason McCartney made contact with Sydney's Tom Papley amid a quarter-time melee in their qualifying final. Angry fans insist there is no way Hinkley's actions should be on par with those other offences.

Hinkley showed immediate remorse for his actions and should he never should have engaged with Ginnivan after admitting he thought the 21-year-old's sledge was disrespectful. AFL greats Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis and Dermott Brereton were among those to condemn Hinkley. “The question is about his inability to control his emotions after a game. Be a humble loser. Be a gracious winner,” Brereton said on SEN.

RELATED:

“I come from a school where I’ve learned from great men — John Kennedy Snr, Allan Jeans, Ron Barassi — and you are gracious in winning. I just thought it was dreadful. And as I say he’s a fantastic bloke, but you cannot lead 40-something men if you behave like this.”

Ken Hinkley and James Sicily exchanged heated words after the Port Adelaide's coach's post-match swipe at Jack Ginnivan. Pic: Getty
Ken Hinkley and James Sicily exchanged heated words after the Port Adelaide's coach's post-match swipe at Jack Ginnivan. Pic: Getty

The backlash came as Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson defended his coach over the weekend. "He cares deeply about his players, he cares deeply about the footy club and sometimes that emotion comes out, but that's one of the things we love about Ken," he said.

The Power issued a terse three-line statement after the AFL fine, saying they considered the matter closed. Port's full attention will now be on Friday night's preliminary final against Sydney at the SCG.

with AAP