Footy coach Ken Hinkley learns his fate after controversial act following Port Adelaide’s AFL finals win over Hawthorn
- Ken Hinkley has been given a hefty fine by the AFL
- Port coach teased Hawthorn players on Friday night
- The Power defeated the Hawks in their semi-final
Port Adelaide has been fined $20,000 by the AFL after coach Ken Hinkley taunted Hawthorn players following the Power’s dramatic semi-final win.
Minutes after the Power ended Hawthorn’s season on Friday night, Hinkley seized the opportunity to insult Jack Ginnivan.
The Power were enthused by Ginnivan, who had responded to an Instagram post from Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy, writing: ‘See you in 14 days’, referring to next Friday’s preliminary round.
Both teams were lined up in front of a guard of honor for Hawks 300 gamer Luke Breust when Hinkley began teasing Ginnivan.
That infuriated Hawthorn captain James Sicily, who defended Ginnivan and clashed fiercely with the Power coach.
The AFL sent a letter to the Power on Saturday asking for an explanation, and imposed a sanction on Sunday for “unbecoming conduct”.
The fine, which is the same as the one GWS received after football manager Jason McCartney made contact with Sydney’s Tom Papley during a brawl in their qualifying final, will not count towards the Power’s soft cap.
Ken Hinkley has been fined $20,000 for his behaviour after Ports’ final win
Hinkley mocked Hawthorn players after the final whistle on Friday night in Adelaide
“We understand that this is a close game with a lot at stake for all clubs. However, Ken decided to engage with the opposition after the game and he later admitted that this was the wrong decision,” said AFL general counsel Stephen Meade.
‘Ken has acknowledged that his emotions got the better of him at the time, but as an experienced coach his actions were well within what the AFL expects of him.
‘As we stressed last week, we do not want opposition officials and players to interact inappropriately. This could escalate and set an example for football at lower levels. We are disappointed that this moment detracts from one of the best finals.’
Hinkley said in his post-match press conference that he had crossed the line.
“I regret that comment… I should have stayed out of it,” he said.
‘There were things said last week that I absolutely didn’t like, but I shouldn’t have let that influence me.’
The Power coach has been criticised for his unsportsmanlike antics
Port director Matthew Richardson defended his coach on Saturday.
“Ken cares deeply about his players, he cares deeply about the football club and sometimes that emotion comes through, but that’s one of the things we love about Ken,” he said.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell praised Sicily for standing up for Ginnivan, and on Saturday the Hawks captain said of his verbal altercation: “I’ve never regretted it for a moment.”
Port Adelaide play Sydney at the SCG on Friday night.