Ken Hinkley says he’s ‘moved on’ from $20,000 fine ahead of preliminary final against Sydney

The footy world erupted after an on-field clash between Ken Hinkley and Hawthorn players, Port’s mentor says the club has ‘moved on’ and is desperate to break through to a grand final.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Port Adelaide Power coach Ken Hinkley speaks to the media during a media opportunity at Alberton Oval on September 18, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Port Adelaide and Ken Hinkley are not letting themselves get distracted ahead of Friday night’s preliminary final in Sydney – not by the fallout from his AFL fine, becoming the Power’s longest-serving coach or the team’s run of strong form against Sydney.

After a weekend where Port snapped a four-game losing streak in finals and Hinkley copped a $20,000 sanction for a post-game taunt to Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan, the 12th-year mentor said his side was staying in the moment to ensure it was focused on beating the Swans and reaching a first grand final since 2007.

“I should say right from the start everything got taken care of on Sunday night, we’ve moved on, we’ve got a prelim final to play,” Hinkley said.

“I’ve got no more to add to it because I’m not going to let any of that become any issue for us.

“We’re just going to move into our preparation for Sydney.”

Port Adelaide avoided a second consecutive straight-sets exit and won its first final since 2021 when it overcame the Hawks by three points.

Hinkley rejected the notion there was less pressure on the Power this week after quashing its major-round hoodoo.

“No, not one bit,” he said.

“The reality is it’s a prelim final.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley speaks to the media on Wednesday. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images.

“We’ve been here four times in my time (2014, 2020, 2021, 2024) and we’re desperate to get through and get our opportunity.

“There’s a lot on the line.”

Hinkley will pass 2004 Power premiership mentor Mark Williams this week for the most AFL games coached at the club.

He was grateful for Port’s “amazing” support, but said now was not the time for reflection on the record.

“Reality is we, the team, have got a job to do on Friday night that’s more important than anything else,” he said.

Spearhead Charlie Dixon (illness) and defender Ryan Burton (calf) are poised to return if they get through training on Thursday, while forward Todd Marshall (concussion) will not play.

“The previous three weeks, if Ryan wasn’t in our two or three, he was in our best four,” he said.

Half-back Kane Farrell is “pushing really hard” to make his comeback, three weeks after being ruled out for the season with a hamstring injury, but he has to wait.

“We’ll let him go about his business and see where it ends,” Hinkley said.

The coach said Marshall was “making good progress towards whatever’s next for him and for us” after his fifth concussion since 2021.

Port thumped the Swans by 112 points at Adelaide Oval last month in the sides’ most recent meeting.

Hinkley said that result and his team’s eight-match winning streak over Sydney, dating back to 2016, meant nothing come Friday night.

“We’ve been involved in two of those games that were the opposite,” he said, referring to the Power’s heavy home losses to Brisbane (round 15) and Geelong (qualifying final) this season.

“It doesn’t stop you turning up at your next performance knowing it’s a lineball game and you’ve got to be ready.”

Originally published as Ken Hinkley says he’s ‘moved on’ from $20,000 fine ahead of preliminary final against Sydney