Hawthorn skipper James Sicily has conceded in the aftermath that 'Hok-ball' ringleader Jack Ginnivan, in fact, regretted posting his "see u in 14 days" comment to Swan Brodie Grundy a week ahead of Friday night's semi-final.
Admitting that such antics are better left in private, Sicily maintains full support for the character of his 21-year-old teammate, hoping moments like these will hold him in good stead down the line.
โJack openly admitted during the week to the leaders that he really wished he didn't do it. That's all part of the learning," Sicily reflected to reporters the morning after the match.
Hawthorn skipper James Sicily has doubled down on his verbal altercation with Ken Hinkley on Friday night, as the AFL confirmed it will investigate the incident@MaccaHeraldSun and @Simeon_TW have the latest ๐ https://t.co/dTIKsGn5EY pic.twitter.com/A4ADbrCcoX
— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) September 14, 2024
โI I think those things are better off done behind closed doors.
โI think people forget he's 21 and a lot of grown men are infatuated with the way he lives his life and sometimes I look at it and feel as though that's a bit embarrassing. People are different. We shouldn't be judgemental.
โIt was cheeky. I don't think the game was lost or won on motivation because of it. It wasn't necessarily a direct attack at Ken, at Port Adelaide.
โWe love Jack, we love what he's brought to our football club.โ
The sour note from Sicily's view comes with the dampened mood set in place of Luke Breust's milestone moment, as both clubs endured a tense standoff in the intended celebratory guard of honour for the 300-game champion.
โThe only thing I wish I had my time again with is that the exchange lingered too long and it took the gloss off Punky's (Breust) 300th and not being able to be fully present in chairing him off," Sicily acknowledged.
Ken Hinkley and James Sicily were involved in this exchange post-match. #AFLFinals #AFLPowerHawks pic.twitter.com/GHrKwe45O0
— AFL (@AFL) September 13, 2024
As for his own role in standing up for a younger teammate in face of the 57-year-old opposition coach, Sicily shared his thoughts on Ken Hinkley's actions, professionally playing a straight bat and cooling the feud for the time being.
โIt's not the first time Ken's done that and it won't be the last. It's an emotional game and sometimes it gets the better of us.
โTo be honest I'm not seeking any apology. It's a game of footy.โ
The AFL have confirmed they will investigate the incident further,ย SEN's Sam Edmund reporting the league would like to ask a couple of questions of the Port Adelaide Football Club.
Ken Hinkley spoke onย SEN ahead of the AFL's questioning, clarifying his regret for instigating the feud.
"Clearly I'm disappointed, I let myself down and I let my club down. It's an incident that didn't need to happen. I went over with the right intentions to show respect to Luke Breust. I should be better than that," the Power coach conceded himself in the aftermath.
"I know Sam and the Hawthorn Football Club are disappointed and I understand that.
"They may ask. There was certainly no altercation or anything but there was some verbal that was unnecessary.
"I've always been that type of coach and I've used it as a strength. I've been aware of that and I try to keep it under wraps. I even declined an interview with Ch 7 on the siren because I didn't want to go there. I use it as a strength but last night it was a weakness.
"I'm sure Hawthorn football club wont be very pleased with me at all."
