AFL launches inquiry into Ken Hinkley incident with Hawthorn players

The AFL is reportedly looking into the incident between Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley and Hawthorn players over one detail.

The AFL is reportedly looking into the incident between Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley and Hawthorn players over his verbal sledge.

It comes as Hawks captain James Sicily on Saturday morning said he has one regret over his role in the ugly scenes.

The Power coach’s fiery on-field stoush with Hawks players overshadowed the dramatic finish to Friday night’s semi-final at Adelaide Oval, which ended with Port Adelaide moving through to a preliminary final against the Swans.

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After what was a game of the year contender, Hinkley, 57, unleashed a verbal barrage in the direction of Hawks forward Jack Ginnivan after the 21-year-old ignited tensions during the week with a cheeky social media comment.

The situation twisted after the game with suggestions Port Adelaide players were irritated by more than just Ginnivan.

Word has now filtered through the AFL is planning to ask Port Adelaide some questions about the incident.

Ken Hinkley sledged Jack Ginnivan from miles away.

SEN journalist Sam Edmund first reported on Saturday morning Hinkley’s “you’re not flying, Jack” sledge has caught the eye of the AFL.

Hinkley admitted after the game Ginnivan’s light-hearted comment — where he responded to Swans star Brodie Grundy’s Instagram post by writing, “See u in 14 days” — was the motivation behind his swipe at the young forward.

TV replays showed Hinkley putting his arms out in an apparent aeroplane motion in the direction of Ginnivan, rubbing it in the former Collingwood star’s face that he won’t be travelling to play the Swans at the SCG on Friday.

It then went up a notch when Hawks captain James Sicily fired back at Hinkley.

According to the report, the AFL will be focusing on the Port Adelaide coach.

“The AFL will ask a couple of questions of the club in the coming days,” an AFL spokeman said, per Edmund.

Sicily responded to the drama as the Hawks prepared to board a flight back to Melbourne.

“I think people forget he’s 21 and a lot of grown men are infatuated with the way he lives his life and sometimes I look at it and feel as though that’s a bit embarrassing. People are different. We shouldn’t be judgemental,” he said, per AFL reporter Mitch Cleary.

“It’s not the first time Ken’s done that and it won’t be the last. It’s an emotional game and sometimes it gets the better of us.

“To be honest I’m not seeking any apology. It’s a game of footy.”

He said he regrets that his exchange with Hinkley continued as both clubs were giving 300-gamer Luke Breust a guard of honour.

“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,” he said.

“We love Jack, we love what he’s brought to our football club.”

Hinkley said after the game he regretted his actions.

“I’ll be honest; Jack said what he said during the week, and I just told him after the game he wouldn’t be going anywhere (next week),” Hinkley said in the dressing room.

James Sicily went back at Ken Hinkley.

“I probably shouldn’t have done it, I should apologise to the boys... the reality was, you throw something our way (and) we’re going to throw something back occasionally.”

Asked if he had used Ginnivan’s social media comment as motivation for his team, Hinkley said: “A fair bit. ... And that’s probably why it got to the point it did. We as a footy club found it a little bit disrespectful and that’s why it gets to where it gets.”

Hawks coach Mitchell said in his earlier press conference that he would “absolutely not” be seeking to have a conversation with Hinkley.

“I can only speak on my club’s behalf and how the Hawthorn football club dealt with the post-game,” Mitchell said.

“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.

“The captain of my club stood up for him and it’s really tough to be sitting here right now. I’m really proud of our captain who was able to stand up and lead in a way he can be proud of.”