Geelong coach Chris Scott has shifted the focus back onto the AFL following the controversy surrounding Ken Hinkley. The Port Adelaide coach was handed a $20,000 fine for his post-game altercation with Hawthorn players Jack Ginnivan and James Sicily after Port’s semi-final win. Hinkley’s comments towards Ginnivan sparked a heated exchange with Sicily, leading to widespread criticism of the Power coach’s behavior.
The intense post-match scenes, while overshadowing Port Adelaide’s thrilling victory, also captivated the AFL community and sparked debate. Hinkley’s actions were condemned by notable figures such as Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis, and Dermott Brereton. Despite the backlash, Hinkley accepted the AFL’s $20,000 fine for conduct unbecoming.
Chris Scott has directed attention towards the AFL following Port Adelaide’s $20,000 fine for Ken Hinkley’s comments about Hawthorn. Speaking on the issue, Geelong coach Scott urged the league not to use the incident in future promotions, although he admitted he doesn’t believe that will happen. “If it reflects poorly on the game, it should never be promoted, and the AFL should distance themselves from it. But I don’t think they will,” Scott said on Channel Seven’s *Talking Footy*.
When asked if he thought the AFL would use the heated encounter for marketing when Port faces Hawthorn again, Scott was clear in his opinion. “They’ll likely use it to highlight the rivalry between the two teams,” he stated. However, Scott also acknowledged that what starts as a minor jibe can escalate quickly. “The AFL is a unique organization because they oversee football at all levels, not just the elite competition. So they have a responsibility to ensure things don’t spiral out of control, but knowing the people in the game, the chances of escalation are almost nonexistent.”
Meanwhile, Ken Hinkley accepted the AFL’s $20,000 fine, despite critics pointing out that his penalty was the same as Alastair Clarkson’s for a homophobic slur. Hinkley dismissed the idea that the controversy would be a distraction ahead of Port’s preliminary final against the Sydney Swans. “It was dealt with by Sunday night,” Hinkley said on Wednesday. “We’ve moved on. We’ve got a prelim to play, and I’m not letting this become an issue. Our focus is on preparing for Sydney.”
Ken Hinkley received a $20,000 fine for his sledge aimed at Hawthorn, but the focus now shifts to Port Adelaide’s preliminary final against the Sydney Swans. The Power head into the match with an impressive record, having won their last eight games against John Longmire’s side, including a dominant 112-point victory in round 22. Despite this, Hinkley downplayed the significance of their past success, emphasizing that it won’t impact Friday’s game.
“These runs happen in footy over time, but both teams know it means nothing for Friday night,” Hinkley stated. He also mentioned that defender Ryan Burton (calf) would be selected if fit, and Charlie Dixon might replace Todd Marshall (concussion) if he recovers from illness in time.
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