Leigh Matthews labels Ken Hinkley a 'smart arse' after James Sicily incident as Port boss speaks out

Port Adelaide chief executive officer Matthew Richardson has addressed the drama behind Ken Hinkley and James Sicily's run in after Leigh Matthews described the Port coach as a "smart arse".

After Port Adelaide defeated Hawthorn in the semi final on Friday night, Hinkley let Jack Ginnivan know he wouldn't be flying to Sydney after his Instagram comment earlier in the week.

Hawks captain Sicily then went back at Hinkley verbally with the coach giving it back.

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While the under-fire Hinkley has since apologised for his actions while on Saturday, Sicily declared "it's not the first time that Ken has done that and it won't be the last".

The Port Adelaide coach has since been issued a please explain by the AFL, which was confirmed by Richardson.

'We've had a conversation with the AFL today, they've just asked for some extra details," he told media.

"They're really no different to the details Ken provided last night in the press conference."

Asked if he had any idea about possible sanctions, Richardson was none the wiser.

"That's for the AFL, we've provided that extra information and we'll wait to hear about that," he replied.

Reaction to the incident has been split with Hawks legends Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis critical during the contest and in post-match analysis.

Port captain Zak Butters defended Hinkley post-match while Jonathan Brown said on Fox Footy "the karma bus got them" in reference to Hawthorn.

Collingwood legend Dane Swan said on X "it's good for footy".

However, Matthews said on 3AW that Hinkley "would be embarrassed".

"He was a smart arse at the time," he said.

"I don't think it will go anywhere in terms of penalty or anything, but he should be embarrassed – and I think he would be – (because) he wasn't calm, controlled or composed.

"As a senior coach, it's different to the players. Whatever players do to each other is different … the off-field people are the off-field people.

"Don't interfere with the players."

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Matthews did admit Ginnivan "gift-wrapped" a present to Port Adelaide with his antagonising comment.

"Port got the best out of themselves and no doubt the Ginnivan (post) was the gift-wrapped present which allowed Ken Hinkley to really get into them," he said.

"And that was why, at the end of the game, it was still in (Hinkley's) thinking.

"People around footy have said for a while 'never give a sucker an even break' or 'never give the opposition anything'."