‘Do it for Ken’: GoFundMe launched for Ken Hinkley’s controversial $20,000 fine

Port fans pledged thousands via GoFundMe to help coach Ken Hinkley pay off his controversial fine on Friday, before the fundraiser was shut down.

Port Adelaide fans donated thousands of dollars to help Ken Hinkley pay off a controversial $20,000 fine handed down by the AFL.

The GoFundMe was mysteriously shut down by organisers on Monday, but not before raising more than $6000 within 24 hours for the club’s divisive coach.

A spokesman for the club said it had nothing to do with the fundraiser – or its unexpected closure – but another one is already underway appealing for supporters to “Follow the Creed”.

On Friday, 57-year-old Hinkley had a heated post-match exchange with Hawthorn antagonist Jack Ginnivan and captain James Sicily, eclipsing his team’s three-point victory over the side.

The move resulted in a $20,000 fine, sparking an outcry from fans and sporting figures.

A GoFundMe page to raise money to pay Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley's $20,000 fine. Picture: GoFundMe

One fan with the account name ‘Ken HinkleyFanBoy’ has launched a GoFundMe, which netted nearly a third of its $20,000 goal within hours of its creation.

“Ken Hinkley is a man who loves his job,” they wrote.

“Think of him when donating after he received an unjustified $20,000 fine. Do it for Ken. All money will be sent directly to the Port Adelaide bank account.”

However, they unexpectedly closed the fundraiser and refunded donations “so that (the club) can concentrate on the prelim final on Friday night and focus on the future”.

“Instead of donating to this fundraiser, maybe spend your money on a ticket to Sydney and get behind the boys and Ken,” the organiser wrote.

Port Adelaide assistant coach Tyson Goldsack said it was nice fans were “on his side”.

“It is nice to have support for Ken. He has been through some stuff over the last few weeks from supporters for what happened against Geelong,” he said, referring to the 84-point home qualifying final loss to the team earlier this month.

“It is nice they are on his side, that is a positive out of it.”

Ken Hinkley, walks off the ground after the game against Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty

Following Friday’s match, Hinkley made a mocking plane gesture towards Ginnivan and told him he would not be flying, understood to be in reference to Ginnivan’s Instagram post where he made a comment about seeing Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy in two weeks at the SCG preliminary final.

He then had an exchange with Hawks captain Sicily.

Hinkley has apologised several times after the incident but the sanction was nevertheless handed down on Sunday.

The penalty has sparked debate and backlash, including from sporting figures.

Former Collingwood coach Tony Shaw took to X, formerly Twitter, to criticise the decision.

“$20k fine for verbal taunts same as actual physical contact,” he wrote.

Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes said the fallout was an over-reaction.

But it’s not the first time Ginnivan has ruffled a few feathers.

The talented goalsneak caused a minor furore when he was spotted at a Melbourne pub having dinner with some housemates on the eve of the Hawks’ do-or-die final against the Western Bulldogs.

Later, the controversial star revealed he wasn’t sure how to spend his Thursday in SA.

“Can you suggest anything in Adelaide for me? There isn’t much to do there for me,” he said.

You can see the GoFundMe here.

Originally published as ‘Do it for Ken’: GoFundMe launched for Ken Hinkley’s controversial $20,000 fine