AFL Finals: Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has words with Hawthorn players after the Power’s win

‘We have a young player who had some very aggressive words said to him by a much older man’ – Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was left stunned and furious after what happened last night.

A seething Sam Mitchell says he will “absolutely not” talk to Ken Hinkley after the Port Adelaide coach’s verbal taunt to Jack Ginnivan.

Hinkley sledged Ginnivan as the teams walked off the ground after the Power’s three-point home semi-final win on Friday night, ribbing the 21-year-old Hawthorn small forward about social media comments he made this week.

The heated exchange stunned Mitchell, left the Hawks furious and prompted widespread criticism of the 57-year-old Power mentor.

“We have a young player who had some very aggressive words said to him by a much older man who’s been in the game for a very long time,” Mitchell said post-match.

Asked if he would speak to Hinkley about the incident, Mitchell said: “Absolutely not”.

Ken Hinkley gives Jack Ginnivan a spray over this Insta reply "see u in 14 days'

Hinkley’s barb was sparked by Ginnivan’s Instagram post to ex-Collingwood teammate turned Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy saying he would see him in the preliminary final in 14 days.

Hawthorn captain James Sicily was angry with the Power coach, firing back as both sides formed a guard of honour for 300-game Hawk Luke Breust.

Sicily shook his head repeatedly at Hinkley, getting held back by former Port Adelaide player Jarman Impey and Hawks wingman Massimo D’Ambrosio

“I’m really proud of our captain, who would’ve been just as emotional, to be able to stand up and lead in the way he could be proud of,” Mitchell said.

D’Ambrosio told this masthead Hinkley’s comments were out of line and unnecessary.

“He’s supposed to be a role model,” D’Ambrosio said.

“We’ll let him deal with that and what he said.

“I don’t know if he’ll take it back or not, but I think he should.”

Hinkley told Channel 7 that he said to Ginnivan “he wasn’t going anywhere”.

“I shouldn’t have probably done it, but the reality was you throw something our way, we’re gonna throw something back occasionally,” Hinkley said.

Ken Hinkley has words with Jack Ginnivan. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

James Sicily had to be held back by his teammates. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Before answering questions, the 12th-year Power coach began his post-game media conference by saying he regretted the confrontation and needed to be better.

“There was an incident after the game where I had some words with a Hawthorn player that I wished I hadn’t had in a moment that I shouldn’t have had,” he said.

“But an emotional game and a big result.

“There was stuff said during the week that I certainly didn’t enjoy but I shouldn’t let it get to me.

“It just goes to show that everyone can get better and I am trying to still get better.”

Hinkley said he would not look to speak to Ginnivan or Sicily immediately.

“I think I have basically made it known to them that I should have not approached the moment the way I did,” he said.

The Hawthorn skipper wasn’t happy. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Hinkley said the Power used Ginnivan’s social media comments “a fair bit” as motivation this week, describing them as “a bit disrespectful”.

“That is why it gets to where it gets,” he said.

“We as a footy club just didn’t enjoy that comment.

“That is OK, everyone has their right to speak freely.”

Ex-Hawthorn captain turned Channel 7 commentator Luke Hodge called it “pretty poor form” from the Power coach, while former West Coast defender Will Schofield said it was “as embarrassing as it gets”.

Brisbane champion Jonathan Brown said on Fox Footy: “the karma bus has got” Hawthorn.

“It’s a great leveller, this game,” Brown said.

Originally published as AFL Finals: Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has words with Hawthorn players after the Power’s win