Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is expressing regret over his actions following the dramatic AFL semi-final, while Hawthorn captain James Sicily has no such remorse.
The AFL has requested Hinkley to explain his taunting of Hawthorn players after Port Adelaide’s narrow three-point win at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
“We are issuing a please explain to Port Adelaide regarding Ken Hinkley’s post-match interaction with Hawthorn players,” said an AFL spokesman on Saturday.
Hinkley reportedly directed verbal jabs at Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan shortly after the game, which saw the Power eliminate the Hawks from the finals.
Sicily, who missed a crucial set shot with 63 seconds left that could have put Hawthorn in front, defended his teammate in response.
“I can’t recall exactly what was said. He (Hinkley) was talking to our players and said something to Ginni,” Sicily told reporters on Saturday.
“As a leader, I always back my teammates and I will stand up for them no matter what.”
Sicily mentioned having heated words with Hinkley as players from both teams formed a guard of honor for Hawthorn’s 300-game milestone.
“That’s probably the only thing I regret, that I wasn’t fully present in that moment,” Sicily admitted. “But it’s not the first time Ken has done something like this, and it probably won’t be the last.”
Hinkley, in his post-game media conference, admitted he was out of line.
“I regret the comment … I should have stayed out of that comment but I didn’t,” Hinkley said.
He linked his reaction to Ginnivan’s social media comment from the previous weekend, which he claimed fueled Port Adelaide’s motivation for the sudden-death final.
Ginnivan had responded to an Instagram post by Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy with, “see u in 14 days,” referring to the preliminary finals.
“There were things said last week that I didn’t like, but I shouldn’t have let that moment affect me,” Hinkley acknowledged.
Hawthorn’s Sicily said Ginnivan regretted his comment.
“Jack openly admitted to the leaders that he wished he hadn’t made that comment,” Sicily revealed. “It was cheeky, but I don’t think it directly impacted the game.”
Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson is set to address the media later as the fallout continues.
Hinkley’s comments followed Port Adelaide’s 11.9 (75) to 11.6 (72) victory, which advanced them to a preliminary final against Sydney at the SCG.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell praised Sicily for standing up for Ginnivan.
“I’m proud of our captain, who, despite the emotions of the moment, stood up and led in a way that he can be proud of,” Mitchell said.
GET MORE NEWS ON LIFESTYLEROOM.NET
Leave a Reply