Posted: 2024-09-13 08:22:51

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has apologised for his role in a fiery post-match exchange with Hawthorn captain James Sicily after a thrilling semi final clash between the two sides.

Just moments after Port booked its spot in next week's preliminary final with an 11.9 (75) to 11.6 (72) win over the Hawks at the Adelaide Oval, Hinkley found himself almost face to face with Sicily as the Hawks prepared to chair off veteran forward Luke Breust after his 300th match. 

Following the match, Hinkley revealed that the exchange had been a response to Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan's midweek Instagram comment to ex-Collingwood teammate Brodie Grundy which insinuated the Hawks had already begun preparations to face Grundy's Sydney side in next week's preliminary final.

Hinkley said Port Adelaide found Ginnivan's comments "a little bit disrespectful".

"There was an incident after the game where I had some words with a Hawthorn player that I wish I hadn't had in a moment that I shouldn't have had," he said.

"There was stuff said last week that I certainly didn't enjoy, but I shouldn't have let that moment get to me. What was done during the week was done, and I responded in an emotional state, which I shouldn't have. 

"I regret the comment. I should stay out of that comment, but I didn't. It just goes to show that everyone can get better, and I'm still trying to get better."

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was left visibly incensed at Hinkley's comments and said he had no plans to speak to the veteran Port Adelaide coach about the incident.

"I can only speak to my club's behalf. If I think about how my club, the Hawthorn Football Club, dealt with the post-game, we had a very young player who had some very aggressive words said to him by a much older man who's been in the game for a long time, and the captain of my club stood up for him," he said.

"I understand the emotions of this time of the year are really, really difficult, and I'm really proud of our captain, who would've been just as emotional, to stand up and lead in a way that he could be proud of."

Hinkley was also slammed by Mitchell's former Hawthorn premiership teammates Jordan Lewis and Luke Hodge for his actions.

"I thought it was embarrassing, from my point of view," Lewis told Fox Footy.

"Where he did it and how he did it, I understand Luke Breust was coming off and there was going to be a guard of honour recognising a champion of the game. 

"I don't think there was anything to be gained. If you wanted to have a little bit of play during the week, say it then. I don't think you gain anything saying it after the game."

"He's a 60-year-old man, act your age," Hodge added on Channel Seven.

"You don't go and start stuff like that because then after all the football Port played — they were sensational tonight — we're coming out talking about poor sports by saying stuff like that to a team that's finished their season."

Check out the live blog below for a blow-by-blow recap of all of Friday night's action as it happened, including all the comments regarding the Hinkley-Sicily exchange.

Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn live scores

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Ken Hinkley apologises for sledge at Ginnivan

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Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley starts his presser by offering an apology to Hawthorn for his post-game antics.

"There was an incident after the game where I had some words with a Hawthorn player that I wish I hadn't had in a moment that I shouldn't have had. It was an emotional game, big result. There was stuff said last week that I certainly didn't enjoy, but I shouldn't have let that moment get to me. What was done during the week was done, and I responded in an emotional state, which I shouldn't have. I regret the comment. I should stay out of that comment, but I didn't. It just goes to show that everyone can get better, and I'm still trying to get better."

Hinkley says he used Jack Ginnivan's Instagram comment as motivation during the week.

"We as a footy club found it a little bit disrespectful and that's why it gets to where it gets to." 

Sam Mitchell fuming at Ken Hinkley's antics

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Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell is very emotional in his post-match presser.

He's asked about the Hinkley incident, and you can tell he's not a very happy man.

Here's what he said before cutting off the line of questioning after three questions regarding the incident.

"I can only speak to my club's behalf. If I think about how my club, the Hawthorn Football Club, dealt with the post-game, we had a very young player who had some very aggressive words said to him by a much older man who's been in the game for a long time. And the captain of my club stood up for him. I understand the emotions of this time of the year are really, really difficult, and I'm really proud of our captain, who would've been just as emotional, to stand up and lead in a way that he could be proud of."

Mitchell was asked whether he'd contact Hinkley during the week and replied by saying this: "Absolutely not".

Mitchell speaking more broadly about Hawthorn's effort tonight.

"I guess disappointment. I'm just really sad this season is over. So many people did so much to get us to this point and for it to be finished. It's not a strong enough word, disappointment. Right now, I'm sad for the players, sad for the fans, everyone loved watching what we were doing, and we were not quite good enough and we've got to live with that."

Hinkley slammed by Hawthorn legends for trash talk

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Hawks great Jordan Lewis is the second former Hawk to frown upon Ken Hinkley's trash talk to Jack Ginnivan.

Here's what Lewis said on Fox Footy's post-match coverage.

"I thought it was embarrassing, from my point of view. Where he did it and how he did it, I understand Luke Breust was coming off and there was going to be a guard of honour recognising a champion of the game. I don't think there was anything to be gained. If you wanted to have a little bit of play during the week, say it then. I don't think you gain anything saying it after the game."

Luke Hodge has also had a dip at Ken. Not a lot of love between the two camps, that's for sure.

WATCH: The thrilling final two minutes

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Hinkley opens up on sledge to Jack Ginnivan

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Ken Hinkley explains what exactly he told the Hawks that got James Sicily so fired up after the match.

"I just told him after the game he's not going anywhere," Hinkley tells Seven.

Zak Butters on Hawthorn's trash talk

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Port star Zak Butters speaks about Hawthorn's brash trash talking both during the week and throughout this season.

"I think they talk all year and it's where they definitely get some energy from as a group," he tells Fox Footy.

"Yeah, we looked at it a little bit. It's footy and you've got to have fun, but at the same time we were out there to get the job done tonight.

"Kenny is a passionate man and that's why we love playing for him."

Full-time stats from the Adelaide Oval

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Here are the final numbers from an absolute classic in Adelaide.

  • Disposals: Hawthorn 337-323
  • Inside 50s: Port 51-42
  • Clearances: Port 42-40
  • Contested Possessions: Port 158-141
  • Tackles: Hawthorn 82-76

Port Adelaide finishes with the three top-ranked players on the ground.

  1. 1.Jordon Sweet (PA): 15 disposals, 53 hitouts, six clearances, five tackles
  2. 2.Jase Burgoyne (PA): 25 disposals, nine marks, seven intercept possessions
  3. 3.Connor Rozee (PA): 20 disposals, nine tackles, six score involvements

Sicily and Hinkley in war of words after tense final

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There's some fiery scenes after the final siren here in Adelaide. 

Ken Hinkley mouths off at the Hawthorn players nearby as the two teams prepare for a guard of honour for Luke Breust.

Hawthorn skipper James Sicily is absolutely incensed and returns serve to Hinkley, all while chairing Breust off the ground.

"As a coach, that's pretty disappointing," Luke Hodge says on commentary.

"I reckon Ken as a coach would sit back and go, 'We've just had a great win', you should be talking about how well your team played.

"Instead, a coach is in there mouthing off to a losing side. That's pretty poor form."

"You certainly don't see it very, very often, if at all. There is a lot going on there," Matthew Richardson adds.

Spicy stuff!

I wonder if that was a response from Hinkley for Jack Ginnivan's comments during the week where he insinuated that the Hawks were preparing for the Swans prelim clash.

FT: Port Adelaide 11.9 (75) def. Hawthorn 11.6 (72)

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PORT ADELAIDE WINS A THRILLER!

Ken Hinkley with his hands on his head and the crowd absolutely goes NUTSSSSS.

Holy smokes. That is an all-timer.

Ratugolea saves Port, maybe?

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Esava Ratugolea with a huge intercept mark with 18 seconds left.

Sicily hits the post with a minute left

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PANDEMONIUM AT THE ADELAIDE OVAL!

The Hawthorn captain has missed a set shot from 50m out.

Port clinging to a three-point lead. Sicily with his head in his hands.

Horne-Francis limps off the ground

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A massive concern here for Port, with Jason Horne-Francis helped off the ground in big trouble.

Horne-Francis clutching behind his left leg. Not sure if it's a hammy or cramp at this stage.

Two minutes left. Doubt he'll get back onto the ground here.

Massive tackle from Byrne-Jones saves Port

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HUGE play from Darcy Byrne-Jones!

Jarman Impey was away through the middle of the ground and he's stopped in his tracks.

2.38 left on the clock.

Maginness keeps Hawthorn alive!

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GAME ON!

Finn Maginness snaps one through with 3.35 left on the clock and the Hawks are back within a kick.

A massive centre bounce coming.

Moore hits the post with four minutes left

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Oh boy, what a miss this is!

Dylan Moore takes a mark on the boundary and looks to snap it through but hits the post.

Ball camped in Hawthorn's half of the ground now.

Into the last five minutes at the Adelaide Oval

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Time becoming a factor now here in Adelaide!

The ball is inside Hawthorn's forward 50 and we've got a boundary throw-in.

Sweet's brilliant chase denies Chol

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Mabior Chol is done for running too far inside 50! 

He had Nick Watson wide open, but was too indecisive after a brilliant chase from Port big man Jordon Sweet.

"Just do the simple things," says Hawks great Luke Hodge in the commentary box.

Seven minutes left for Hawthorn to find two goals.

Georgiades gives Port some more breathing room

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Mitch Georgiades with a HUGE contested mark deep in the pocket!

It was a lovely kick inside 50 from Connor Rozee, and it found Georgiades.

He shows some composure to go back and snaps it through for his third goal of the evening.

Port lead by 11 points with eight minutes left.

Ginnivan snaps another one through as Hawks continue comeback

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Oh do not go anywhere, we've got a game on again folks!

Jack Ginnivan snaps one through to draw the Hawks to within five points.

That was probably the first time tonight the Hawks were able to transition from end to end.

There's 10.26 left, plenty of time for either team.

An excellent response from Hawthorn in the last five minutes.

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