‘Disgrace’: ‘Sore loser’ Hawks torn to shreds over post-match antics

Sam Mitchell had been widely praised for his handling of Friday night’s fiery final — but Hawthorn’s antics have now been branded “pathetic”.

South Australian footy legend Graham Cornes has torn Hawthorn to shreds over the club’s post-match antics following Friday night’s fiery final.

The prickly post-match exchange between Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley and Hawks stars Jack Ginnivan and James Sicily quickly overshadowed the Power’s thrilling elimination final win.

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After 36 hours of accusations and public swipes, the AFL eventually handed Hinkley a $20,000 fine.

That heavy punishment angered plenty of commentators across the footy landscape with many staggered by how severe the fine was.

Hinkley admitted after the game his emotions got the better of him right after the siren when his cheeky aeroplane gesture towards Ginnivan spiralled into a heated verbal exchange with Sicily.

Ginnivan had started the whole saga last week with a cheeky comment on Instagram where he hinted he would be seeing Swans star Brodie Grundy in a preliminary final in “14 days”.

Hinkley and several Power players shared after the game how much the comment annoyed them and how they used it as motivation leading into the contest.

Hawks coach Sam Mitchell was widely praised for the measured support he showed for his players in his post-match press conference — but the former Hawthorn premiership player is now copping a roasting along with several of his former teammates.

Ken Hinkley and Sam Mitchell, talk after the match. Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Former Adelaide Crows coach Cornes described the situation as a “disgrace” according to SEN’s Eddy Cornes.

The 76-year-old said on SEN 1629 in Adelaide the outrage about Hinkley’s behaviour was “pathetic”.

“We love Ginnivan. We love his colour. We love his effort on the footy field. But if you’re going to fire the first shot and you miss your mark, you can’t complain when someone shoots back or fires a few words back at you,” Graham Cornes said.

“He (Hinkley) didn’t swear. He just said, ‘You know you’re not flying anywhere’. It’s just the greatest beat up, and all these ex-Hawthorn commentators, they’re up on their high horse.

“Firstly, there’s the issue of the ageist comments that the Hawthorn coaches may talk about. “You know, they’re saying it’s a really young player and a much older man.

“Well Ginnivan’s 21 playing AFL footy. He’s played 60-odd games for heaven’s sake. He’s not a kid in an under-15s school boy match.

“He gives it. He’s got to be able to cop it. It’s just pathetic. Sam Mitchell can’t talk either.”

Cornes’ comments referenced criticism former Hawthorn stars directed at Hinkley after the game. Luke Hodge said on Channel 7 that Hinkley’s behaviour was “pretty disappointing” and told the veteran coach to “act his age”.

Former Hawks premiership star Jordan Lewis also said on Fox Footy that Hinkley’s behaviour was “embarrassing”.

Sam Mitchell stood up for his players in the press conference.

Cornes on Monday put Mitchell’s behaviour in the spotlight.

The 41-year-old took a thinly veiled swipe at Hinkley in his post-match press conference and said he would not be attempting to speak with the rival coach.

“We had a very young player who was having some very aggressive words said to him by a much older man who has been in the game a long time,” he said.

Cornes described Hawthorn as “sore losers”.

“C’mon, I mean, get on with the hanging offences,” he said.

“Ken Hinkley didn’t swear. He didn’t do the cutting the throat gesture like Kevin Sheedy did. He didn’t abuse them physically like Alastair Clarkson did earlier this year. So just get on with it.

“Stop being sore losers all the time. You’ve had a great year. You’ve surpassed everyone’s expectations. You’ve played exciting footy. You’re in a good place going forward. Just appreciate that. Don’t look for excuses or scapegoats.

“You lost the game which you should have won – you hit the post twice. Accept it and get on with it.”

Ken Hinkley gestures to Jack Ginnivan that he won't be on a flight over this Insta reply "see u in 14 days'.

Ken Hinkley and James Sicily exchanged words.

Hinkley started his post-match press conference by saying he regretted his actions — but reports on Monday emerged to suggest Hinkley and his club were not apologetic behind the scenes.

Veteran footy reporter Caroline Wilson said on Channel 9’s Footy Classified that Hinkley did in fact swear towards Ginnivan.

According to Nine, Hinkley said: “You’re not going anywhere, you cheeky little f***”.

Wilson said the AFL whacked Hinkley so hard because of how Power officials handled the situation behind the scenes.

“The feeling was that in all the negotiation and in all the back and forward of the weekend, Port was not contrite,” Wilson said.

“I think the AFL is internally saying they came down harder on Ken Hinkley for several reasons. Because it was off the back of (Jason) McCartney and this is becoming a habit among coaches and officials and they need to nail it.”

Port Adelaide next plays the Swans in a preliminary final blockbuster at the SCG on Friday night.

Originally published as ‘Disgrace’: ‘Sore loser’ Hawks torn to shreds over post-match antics