Nathan Brown has lauded the tense bench interaction between Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley and his star midfielder Zak Butters.
During the Power’s 48-point smashing of the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, Butters and Hinkley exchanged words, with the vision picked up by cameras on the bench.
Butters was dragged to the bench by Hinkley during the second term, after he was seen wrestling with Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore off the ball.
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Hinkley was clearly unhappy with Butters losing focus, having a stern chat with him on the bench.
The pair were seen exchanging harsh words and pointing at each other, before Hinkley walked away from the conversation.
Jason Horne-Francis, Connor Rozee and Zak Butters of the Power celebrate their win over the Western Bulldogs. AFL Photos via Getty Images
When asked about it at half time, Butters played down the push and shove with Liberatore, not mentioning Hinkley’s spray.
“Just about a bit of stuff off ball. I’ll let the AFL look at that,” Butters said on Fox.
Despite the exchange raising eyebrows, Brown backed it in, lauding the way both player and coach care about their club.
“If you’re not having those sort of conversations at a footy club, you’re doing it wrong,” Brown said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
Ken Hinkley was happy after his sides’ win over the Dogs. Getty
“I think that is really healthy.”
Damien Barrett echoed Brown’s thoughts.
“The drama that he brings is intense at times, so is his coaching,” Barrett said.
“I reckon this is really healthy and I love it.
Hinkley and Butters exchanged words on the bench. Fox Footy
“They’ve both got each other’s backs here. It’s a really strong mentor and player relationship.”
The midfielder was subbed off during the win, with the club noting he was simply managed.
Butters has been fined almost $15,000 this season alone for being involved in melees and off-the-ball acts.
Across his career, he has racked up around $30,000 worth of fines.
He was not cited by the MRO for any involvements with Liberatore.