‘Passionate’ coach earns star’s support after ugly spat

There’s something about Ken Hinkley.
Just ask the Port Adelaide coach’s playing group, including young forward Mitch Georgiades.
After the final siren of the Power’s three-point semi-final win over Hawthorn on Friday night, Hinkley reportedly called out to Ginnivan, “you won’t be flying to Sydney, Jack”, although cameras show the exchange was far more than one sentence.
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Hawks skipper James Sicily lpet to Ginnivan’s defence, backing the small forward after a controversial social media comment that led to Hinkley’s outburst.
It follows Ginnivan’s earlier social media antics, where he commented on Swans ruckman Brodie Grundy’s post after Sydney’s six-point win to lock in a preliminary final at the SCG.
Ken Hinkley, Senior Coach of the Power exchanges words with Hawthorn players. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Ginnivan stated, “see u in 14 days”, hinting that his Hawks would certainly beat the Power and reach a preliminary final against the Swans.
Hinkley later admitted Port used the comment as motivation.
Now, Georgiades has weighed in to the conversation.
“Obviously we know how passionate Kenny is and sometimes he wears his emotions on his sleeve,” he said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“Like he said himself, it got the better of him at that stage.
“But as a club … throughout the week, took it as a bit of disrespect, the comments that were made. Not just from Jack, but probably from the whole media itself.
“I thought it was really great maturity for us as a group, all of last week, to put that behind and move forward.
“We definitely were 100 per cent behind Ken. We love his emotion. It’s what makes him such a good coach at times.”
Hawks skipper James Sicily reflects after his side’s loss to Port Adelaide. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Georgiades is one of a number of Port Adelaide players to have vehemently backed Hinkley after the spat.
Midfielder Zak Butters was one of the first after the victory.
“I think they talked all year. We definitely looked at it a little bit,” Butters said on Fox.
“Kenny’s a passionate man and that’s why we love playing under him.”
Mitch Georgiades of the Power celebrates a goal during their semi-final against Hawthorn. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Port skipper Connor Rozee became emotional discussing how much Hinkley means to him and the group.
“I love him like a father, to be honest. He just cops a ridiculous amount of criticism … which he doesn’t deserve,” he said on 7 after the win.
“What a man. We really wanted to get this one done, especially for him.”
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Port Adelaide head to the SCG to take on Sydney next Friday night, with the winner progressing to a grand final.
If the Power are successful in their preliminary final quest, it will be their first grand final since 2007.