Ken Hinkley: AFL reveals penalty for Port Adelaide coach’s post-game spray

Port Adelaide has been slapped with a $20,000 fine for Ken Hinkley’s fiery verbal clash with Hawthorn players after the club’s semifinal victory on Friday night.

Hinkley taunted Jack Ginnivan in a response to the Hawks forward’s social media suggestion his side would coast through to the preliminary final.

The incident occurred as the two teams gathered to form a guard-of-honour for Luke Breust’s 300th game and also involved Hawthorn captain James Sicily, who stepped in to defend his young teammate.

The Power were found guilty of conduct unbecoming and have been hit with the fine, but it will not be included in their soft cap for this season.

The clash has been a point of fierce debate across the weekend, with Power great and leading commentator Kane Cornes calling it an overreaction, while other experts suggested Hinkley’s tirade was not a good look for the game.

“We understand it is a passionate game with a lot at stake for all clubs, however Ken made a decision to engage with opposition players post-match — a decision he has since admitted was the wrong one.” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said.

“Ken has acknowledged that his emotions got the better of him in the moment, however as a senior coach his actions fell well below what is expected by the AFL.

“As we reiterated last week, opposition officials and players inappropriately engaging each other is something we don’t want to see because of the potential to escalate and the example that it sets for football at lower levels and we are disappointed the moment took away from what was one of the great finals matches.”

In a statement on Sunday, Port Adelaide says it now considers the matter closed.

The incident comes just a week after GWS general manager of football Jason McCartney was sanctioned for an on-field clash with Sydney forward Tom Papley.