Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell recently shed light on the backstory that led to his team’s heated response to Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley, a moment that caught the AFL world off guard. After what appeared to be an innocuous comment from Hinkley about Hawthorn’s performance, the Hawks reacted with an intensity that surprised fans and commentators alike. Mitchell’s remarks offer a glimpse into the underlying emotions fueling the exchange and suggest there was more to the story than initially met the eye.
The incident in question took place after Hawthorn’s convincing victory over Port Adelaide in the 2024 AFL season. Hinkley, in his post-match comments, downplayed Hawthorn’s win, implying that Port Adelaide had been far from their best on the day. While many saw his comments as routine coach-speak, Hawthorn took umbrage, interpreting Hinkley’s remarks as dismissive of their efforts. The Hawks’ camp responded with unusually fiery rhetoric, which led many to wonder why Hinkley’s comments had hit such a nerve.
In a recent interview, Sam Mitchell hinted at the ‘context’ behind the Hawks’ strong reaction, suggesting that it wasn’t just about Hinkley’s words on that particular day but a culmination of past interactions. Mitchell explained that there was a history between the two teams, stemming from previous encounters where the Hawks felt they had been undervalued or disrespected by Port Adelaide. Hinkley’s comments, according to Mitchell, were seen as the latest in a string of perceived slights, which prompted the Hawks to stand up for themselves.
Mitchell also alluded to the fact that his young Hawthorn side is eager to prove itself, particularly after enduring a challenging rebuild over recent seasons. The players have embraced a “backs-against-the-wall” mentality, and any suggestion that they’re not taken seriously by the competition’s elite fuels their fire. Hinkley’s remarks, innocuous as they may have seemed to outsiders, were interpreted by the Hawks as yet another example of their doubters underestimating them, and the team responded accordingly.
The tension between the two clubs has added an extra layer of intrigue to their rivalry, with fans now eagerly awaiting their next encounter. As Mitchell continues to foster a culture of resilience and belief at Hawthorn, it’s clear that his team won’t back down from any perceived challenge, whether it comes from opposition players, coaches, or pundits.
While the full extent of the “context” Mitchell referred to remains unclear, it’s obvious that there’s more to the Hawks’ fierce response than a single post-match comment. As the AFL season progresses, this incident will undoubtedly be remembered as a flashpoint in Hawthorn’s campaign to regain its status as a powerhouse in the league.