Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge cop backlash over 'odd' detail in angry swipe at Ken Hinkley

AFL greats Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge have been called out for bringing up Ken Hinkley's age when lashing him for his post-match antics toward Jack Ginnivan in the Hawks' devastating loss on Friday night. Hinkley immediately apologised in his press conference for his war-of-words with Ginnivan and Hawthorn captain James Sicily - who stood up for his teammate - as the coach was seen mocking the Hawks after a tumultuous build-up to the clash all week.

Hinkley said “you’re not flying, Jack”, in reference to Ginnivan's social media post that caused uproar in the lead-up to the game. Ginnivan 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.

The controversial scenes divided AFL greats with Jordan Lewis labelling the coach's actions as 'embarrassing'. Hodge also took a swipe at Hinkley's post-match gesture. However, Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes took aim at the criticism levelled at Hinkley and said some of the reaction was over the top.

"It was not threatening. It was part of an emotional response from a coach who is under serious pressure," Cornes said. The Port Adelaide great went on to claim Hawthorn have handed it out all year and it was not a big deal for them to cop it as well.

"Is it worth the overreaction we've had there, probably not," Cornes added. "Hawthorn has given it out all year, and we have loved it. We have been along for the ride and we've celebrated it...but the minute it comes back to them, in a very slight way, they have sooked it up like you wouldn't believe."

Cornes was hit with resistance with many feeling Hinkley should have used his experience and stayed out of it. However, the Sunday Footy Show panel then discussed why Hinkley's age was used in the debate.

Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge called out over 'age' remark

Host Tony Jones questioned why Hawks coach Mitchell dragged Hinkley's age into the conversation when it came to a war-of-words after the game. Mitchell referred to the age gap between Hinkley and Ginnivan, which raised some eyebrows from the panel. "Ken Hinkley should know better, to be sucked into it like that," Jones started about the gesture.

"For Sam Mitchell to bring the age into it, what does it matter. What does it matter whether he is 58, and Jack Ginnivan is only a kid. We are forever being told it is a 'man's game'. I don't understand the whole age insinuation there."

Hodge also mentioned Hinkley's age when questioning his antics during Channel 7 commentary. This prompted another strong response from journalist Damien Barrett. "I am with you too, TJ, the use of the phrase young player and older man, it's got nothing to do it," Barrett said in response to Jones' comment.

"Jack Ginnivan wasn't considered a younger player, during the course of the year, when they did celebrate his antics. For Luke Hodge to be talking about a 60-year-old man, he is not 60, he is 57...to use that as a problem in this whole debate. Grow up."

Jones agreed and claimed the reference to Hinkley's age was 'odd'. Regardless, the AFL has come down hard on the Port Adelaide coach.

Ken Hinkley slapped with $20,000 fine

Hinkley was hit with a $20,000 fine for the post-match scenes as his team prepare to take on the Sydney Swans on Friday night. Sicily admitted he did also regret some of his carry on, which saw him defend his players.

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“The only thing I wish I had my time again with is that the exchange lingered too long and it took the gloss off Punky’s 300th and not being able to be fully present in chairing him off,” Sicily admitted on Saturday about the unsavoury post-match scenes. “We love Jack, we love what he’s brought to our football club.”