Ken Hinkley learns fate for post-match sledge

The AFL have handed Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley a $20,000 fine for his post-match altercation with Hawk players Jack Ginnivan and James Sicily.

The league have categorised the sanction as breach of AFL Rule 2.3(a) Conduct Unbecoming and the financial sanction will not be included in the club's soft cap.

The incident occurred in the aftermath of Port Adelaide's stunning Friday night semi-final victory over Hawthorn, the Power coach responding to Ginnivan's provocative instagram comment a week earlier, expressing Hawthorn's confidence of advancing past the Power straight into the penultimate weekend.

Ken Hinkley and James Sicily were involved in this exchange post-match. #AFLFinals #AFLPowerHawks pic.twitter.com/GHrKwe45O0

— AFL (@AFL) September 13, 2024

The sour aspect of the altercation was it's overshadowing of Hawthorn champion Luke Breust's guard of honour for his 300th match, both clubs standing off as Breust was chaired off the ground.

Hinkley has since apologised for instigating the feud and a number of football pundits have shared polarising views on the actions of the 57-year-old.

The AFL issued a statement addressing the incident in the aftermath.

“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.

“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.

“As we reiterated last week, opposition officials and players inappropriately engaging each other is something we don't want to see because of the potential to escalate and the example that it sets for football at lower levels and we are disappointed the moment took away from what was one of the great finals matches.”