Chris Scott Critiques AFL's Response to Hinkley-Sicily Clash After Port Adelaide's Win
Chris Scott, coach of Geelong, addressed the heated exchange between Ken Hinkley and James Sicily after Port Adelaide's narrow victory over Hawthorn. Following the match, Hinkley faced a $20,000 fine from the AFL for his provocative gestures towards Hawthorn players. While Scott acknowledged the emotional nature of the game, he suggested that the AFL’s response may have been excessive and indicated that such rivalries could add excitement to the competition.
Geelong coach Chris Scott has shared his perspective on the recent altercation between Ken Hinkley and James Sicily following the intense semi-final match between Port Adelaide and Hawthorn. After Port secured a narrow three-point victory, tensions escalated when Hinkley allegedly provoked Hawthorn players. The incident has prompted the AFL to impose a significant fine on Hinkley, which has sparked debate regarding its appropriateness.
Chris Scott comments on the emotional nature of AFL
During an appearance on Channel 7's Talking Footy, Chris Scott acknowledged the inherently emotional nature of Australian Rules Football. He noted that while emotions can run high, the AFL's response, including a hefty $20,000 fine imposed on Hinkley, might have been excessive. Scott expressed that the governing body perhaps "overreached" in their reaction to the incident, highlighting differing perspectives on what constitutes an acceptable level of rivalry and competitive spirit within the league.
Scott's take on the rivalry between the teams
Scott elaborated that whether the situation appeared negative for the game largely depends on one's interpretation. He pointed out that if the behavior is deemed inappropriate, the AFL should actively discourage it. However, he suspected that the league might ultimately leverage the incident to further develop the rivalry between Port Adelaide and Hawthorn. Scott acknowledged that what might begin as playful banter could quickly escalate into something more significant, demonstrating the volatile nature of competitive sports.
AFL's responsibility and the potential impact on lower levels of football
Addressing the responsibilities of the AFL, Scott remarked that the organization governs football at all levels, not just the elite competition. He asserted that the league has a duty to maintain decorum to prevent incidents from translating down to grassroots level football. Despite recognizing this responsibility, Scott expressed confidence that the likelihood of further escalation among players was minimal, given the personalities involved.
Details of the incident and public reaction
In a detailed account shared by 7NEWS.com.au, it was revealed that Sicily's comments to Hinkley included derogatory remarks about Port being a "nowhere club for eight years." The feud between the two teams began earlier when Hawthorn's Jack Ginnivan made a dismissive comment regarding Port Adelaide's standing, implying they posed no real threat. Following the match, Hinkley made gestures directed at Ginnivan, reportedly imitating a plane to convey a message of unimportance. The wave of mixed reports regarding Hinkley's language intensified the scrutiny around the incident.
Graham Cornes' perspective on the incident
Revered South Australian football figure Graham Cornes weighed in on the situation, asserting that Hinkley merely responded to Ginnivan's comments in a non-confrontational manner. Cornes posited that the AFL's imposition of a fine reflected an "abuse of power," arguing that if one engages in banter, it is only fair for the response to be similarly playful. He characterized Hinkley as one of the more composed individuals involved, juxtaposing his demeanor with that of Sicily, who was noted to have reacted more intensely.
