AFL legend savages Ken Hinkley’s ugly post-game act after Port win

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has come under heavy fire after he unleashed a verbal barrage in the direction of one AFL star.

Ken Hinkley's ugly post-game act

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has overshadowed his club’s sensational victory against Hawthorn on Friday night.

The Power bounced back from a humiliating defeat last week to hold on in a thrilling contest as they recorded the 11.9 (75) to 11.6 (72) win.

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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, 21.

Ginnivan ignited tensions with a cheeky social media comment as he responded to Brodie Grundy’s upload by writing: “see u in 14 days”.

The comment wasn’t lost on Hinkley who was asked about it before the opening bounce before he unleashed on the Hawks forward after the final siren.

While not entirely clear what was said between the two parties, the vision was called out by AFL great Luke Hodge.

Ken Hinkley unleashed after the final siren. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“As a coach that’s pretty disappointing,” Hodge said on Channel 7’s coverage.

“You use it as motivation to build the blokes up to say if he gets near the ball, you go and get him.

“But, as soon as you win and the siren goes, the game is over. He is a 60-year-old man. Act your age.

“You don’t go and start stuff like that because then, after all the football that Port played, they were sensational tonight, we’re coming out talking about them being poor sports, by saying that to a team that’s just finished their season.”

Hodge wasn’t alone in calling out the actions of Hinkley towards the much younger player with the coach copping it from fellow greats and fans of the game.

“It’s embarrassing from my point of view,” Jordan Lewis said on Fox Footy.

“The how he did it and where he did it, I don’t think there was anything to be gained. It’s embarrassing from Ken’s point of view to be honest.”

Former West Coast Eagles player Will Schofield wrote on X: “That’s about as embarrassing as it gets from Ken Hinkley.”

Ryan “Fitzy” Fitzgerald wrote: “Oooh Ken, not a good look son.”

Hinkley came under heavy fire over this display. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell did not mince his words when addressing the incident during his post-game press conference.

“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.”

Mitchell was then asked if he’d be seeking to speak to Hinkley after the incident: “Absolutely not.”

Ken went after Jack Ginnivan. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hinkley addressed the awaiting media shortly after Mitchell and opened his press conference by addressing the matter.

“I should probably start and say there was an incident after the game where I had some words with a Hawthorn player that I wish I hadn’t had in a moment I shouldn’t have had,” Hinkley said.

“It was an emotional game, big result. There was stuff said during last week that I certainly didn’t enjoy but I shouldn’t have let that moment get to me.”

Hinkley was asked if he’d look to follow up with Ginnivan and Sicily and discuss the moment and offer up an apology.

“No I don’t think so because I don’t think it’s the right time for me to have that conversation with anyone, I should just reflect on the moment,” he said.

The coach said multiple times he “regretted” the moment and what had unfolded.