By Jake Niall and Steve Barrett
The AFL will investigate the incident in which Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley made a mocking plane gesture with his arms and then had heated words with Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan and Hawk skipper James Sicily in the aftermath of a thrilling semi-final won by the Power.
Hinkley confirmed afterwards that his comments had been directed at Ginnivan, who had posted a comment “see you in 14 days” to ex-teammate Brodie Grundy on Instagram after Hawthorn’s elimination final victory over the Western Bulldogs. The Port Adelaide coach apologised for his comments to Ginnivan.
The Ken Hinkley clash.Credit: Seven Network
Hinkley also said after his team’s three-point victory that Ginnivan’s comments were disrespectful and used the comments throughout the week as motivation in the lead-in to Friday night’s final.
Broadcast footage from Channel Seven showed Hinkley holding his arms out to mimic plane wings before speaking aggressively in apparent taunting of Ginnivan, and then Sicily coming over to confront Hinkley with words. The confrontation occurred while players from both teams were lining up for Hawthorn great Luke Breust, honouring his 300th game.
The Hawks were unimpressed with Hinkley’s comments, with coach Sam Mitchell making clear his displeasure at the Port Adelaide coach, whose team led for the bulk of the evening and had the better of the Hawks until a final surge almost meant Mitchell’s team snatched a victory – only to be denied when Sicily hit the post from 45 metres with little more than a minute left.
“We had a very young player [Ginnivan] who had some aggressive words said to him by a much older man [Hinkley], who’s been in the game for a long time,” said Mitchell.
James Sicily of the Hawks reacts to Ken Hinkley, senior coach of the Power, after their semi-final match.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
“The captain of my club [Sicily] stood up for him [Ginnivan].
“I understand the emotions of this time of year are really difficult.
“I’m really proud of our captain, who would have been just as emotional and was able to stand up and lead in a way that he can be proud of.”
Asked if he would speak with Hinkley about what happened, Mitchell replied: “Absolutely not.”
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley exchanging words with Hawthorn players after the match.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
A senior AFL source confirmed that the Hinkley incident would be looked at by the league in the coming days, as the Power prepare for a preliminary final against minor premiers Sydney, which is slated for Friday night at the SCG.
In investigating the incident, the AFL will have to consider whether Hinkley deserves a sanction, such as a fine, the league having fined Greater Western Sydney $20,000 for Jason McCartney’s more serious offence of making contact – and verbally insulting – Sydney’s small forward Tom Papley, who like Ginnivan, often draws heated attention from the opposition for his theatrical antics.
Hinkley began his post-match press conference with an unsolicited apology before fielding questions.
“I should 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 that I shouldn’t have had,” he said.
“There was stuff said during last week [by Ginnivan] that I certainly didn’t enjoy, but I shouldn’t have let that moment get to me.
“I regret the comment. I should have stayed out of that comment but I didn’t.
“It just goes to show that everyone can get better, and I’m trying to still get better.
“What was done during the week was done and I responded to it in an emotional state, which shouldn’t be the case.”
Despite his remorse, Hinkley admitted Port used Ginnivan’s post as motivation before the final.
“Fair bit [of motivation],” he said. “We as a footy club found it a bit disrespectful. That’s why it gets to where it gets.
“We as a footy club didn’t enjoy that comment. But that’s okay, everybody has a right to speak freely.”
The Hinkley confrontation with the Hawthorn pair followed an exciting and intense final, in which Port Adelaide withstood a late challenge by the Hawks, who had trailed for the vast majority of the evening and fell to 18 points in the early stages of the final quarter before finishing strongly to nearly snatch victory from a more consistent Port.
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