Chris Scott drops truth bomb on AFL over Ken Hinkley’s ugly clash with Hawthorn players.

Geelong coach Chris Scott has highlighted the ongoing drama surrounding Ken Hinkley after the Port Adelaide coach was fined $20,000 for his post-game confrontation with Hawthorn players Jack Ginnivan and James Sicily. Following Port’s semi-final win, Hinkley’s remarks directed at Ginnivan ignited a verbal exchange with Sicily, leading to significant backlash.

This incident not only cast a shadow over the Power’s exciting victory but also sparked widespread discussion within the AFL community. Prominent figures like Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis, and Dermott Brereton condemned Hinkley’s behavior, emphasizing the importance of maintaining professionalism. Hinkley ultimately accepted the fine for what the AFL deemed conduct unbecoming, fueling further debate on sportsmanship in the league.

Geelong coach Chris Scott has weighed in on the Ken Hinkley saga, urging the AFL not to use the incident for promotional purposes. He expressed concern that if the situation reflects poorly on the game, it should not be showcased. “If it’s a bad look for the game, it should never be promoted again, and the AFL should distance themselves from it,” Scott said on Channel Seven’s *Talking Footy*. However, he expressed skepticism about whether the league would heed his advice.

When asked if he believed the AFL would leverage the spicy encounter in future promotions, particularly when Port faces Hawthorn again, Scott was clear: “They will use it to reinforce the rivalry that might be developing between those two teams.” He acknowledged that friendly banter can quickly escalate, emphasizing the AFL’s unique role in governing football at all levels. Despite this, he felt confident that the chances of the situation escalating further among players were minimal.

Ken Hinkley is focused on the upcoming preliminary final against the Sydney Swans, dismissing the recent controversy as a distraction. After accepting a $20,000 fine from the AFL, he expressed remorse for his actions but emphasized that the matter was resolved by Sunday night. “Everything that happened got taken care of by Sunday night,” he told reporters. “We moved on. We have a prelim final to play, and I’ve got no more to add to it because I’m not going to let any of that become any issue for us.”

Despite criticism over the equivalence of his fine to that received by Alastair Clarkson for a homophobic slur, Hinkley remains focused on his team’s preparation for Friday night’s clash at the SCG. His commitment to moving forward underscores the importance of the upcoming match for Port Adelaide.

The Power go into their prelim against the Swans having won their last eight games against John Longmire’s side, including a 112-point demolition of a depleted Sydney in round 22. In fact, the last time the Power lost against the Swans was at the SCG in round 20, 2016, but Hinkley says his side’s impressive record will count for little on Friday night.