In short:
Port Adelaide has been fined $20,000 following Ken Hinkley’s altercation with Hawthorn players.
The AFL says the Power were sanctioned for “conduct unbecoming”.
The AFL has handed Port Adelaide a $20,000 fine following Power coach Ken Hinkley’s heated exchange with Hawthorn players in the wake of Friday night’s semifinal.
The league said the sanction, issued for “conduct unbecoming”, would not be included in Port Adelaide’s soft cap.
“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 in a statement.
“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.”
The Power released a statement on Sunday night, saying it considered the matter “closed”.
The fine mirrors the $20,000 sanction given to Greater Western Sydney football boss Jason McCartney following his on-field confrontation with Swans player Tom Papley in the first week of the finals.
Hinkley provoked the Hawks players on the field following the Power’s narrow 11.9 (75) to 11.6 (72) victory at Adelaide Oval. Hawks captain James Sicily engaged in the verbal exchange, which occurred just minutes after the final siren. Hinkley later disclosed that his actions were driven by a social media comment made by Hawks forward Jack Ginnivan in the lead-up to the game.
Sicily defended his actions, stating he was simply supporting Ginnivan. “I can’t recall exactly what was said. He (Hinkley) was talking to our players and directed something at Ginni,” Sicily said on Saturday. “As a leader, I always back my teammates and stand up for them, regardless of who is right or wrong. It’s something I take pride in, and I don’t regret it at all.”
The Power will face the Swans in a preliminary final in Sydney on Friday night.
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