'The AFL don't think Port is contrite': Reason behind Ken Hinkley's $20,000 AFL fine revealed

Caroline Wilson has revealed that the AFL believe Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was not remorseful enough in his apology after Friday night's verbal clash with Hawthorn players, hence their call to fine him $20,000.

Hinkley was handed a $20,000 fine for his antics in engaging in taunting against Hawthorn players on Friday night.

After the Power's three-point win over the Hawks in their semi-final clash, Hinkley began shouting words towards Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan, which Wilson revealed included a swear word.

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"Ken Hinkley did swear. He said, 'you're not going anywhere, you cheeky little f---'. That's what he said to Ginnivan," Wilson said on Nine's Footy Classified on Monday night.

It follows Ginnivan's earlier social media antics last week, where he commented on Swans ruckman Brodie Grundy's post.

Ginnivan stated, "see u in 14 days", hinting that his Hawks would reach a preliminary final, which they did not.

Now, Wilson has revealed exactly why the league chose to come down hard on Hinkley, fining him just as much as GWS assistant coach Jason McCartney the week prior, when he bumped into Swans forward Tom Papley.

"The AFL don't think Port is contrite," she said.

"They think that not only did Ken not seem sorry enough, but in the negotiations across the weekend ... it was also the Port hierarchy."

"I gather it was Matthew Richardson, the CEO of Port Adelaide, who was dealing with this ... the feeling was that in all the negotiation and in all the back and forward of the weekend, Port was not contrite."

Hinkley's behaviour, which was found to be a breach of AFL rule 2.3(a) for conduct unbecoming, was punished harshly to warn other coaches that the league won't stand for abuse, especially not from leaders.

"I think the AFL is internally saying they came down harder on Ken Hinkley for several reasons. Because it was off the back of (Jason) McCartney and this is becoming a habit among coaches and officials and they need to nail it," Wilson said.

However, Wilson revealed Hinkley does still feel remorseful, as the coach has offered to personally fork out the money for his fine.

"The club has been fined, but Ken Hinkley has gone to the club and said, 'this was me, I need to pay it. It was my fault," she said.

It comes as Kane Cornes slammed the fine, lauding Hinkley for his honestly and apology, that followed right after the incident occurred.

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"100 per cent (the penalty was too harsh). Ken Hinkley was honest, puts his hand up, admits fault, apologised to the boys, press conference, media the next day," he said.

"That's unbelievable."

Hinkley will need to refocus his playing group, who will fly to the SCG to take on Sydney in their preliminary final on Friday night.