Ben Cousins shares Brownlow and premiership tips as West Coast legend defends Ken Hinkley’s outburst

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Ben Cousins shares Brownlow and premiership tips as West Coast legend defends Ken Hinkley’s outburst

West Coast great Ben Cousins says while he thinks Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley will regret his semi-final outburst it is a lesson to players about not giving ammunition to their rivals.

Following Port’s thrilling semi-final win, Hinkley created a storm after being involved in a heated exchange with Hawthorn captain James Sicily after he fired off some words towards Jack Ginnivan with Port fired up over his

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The AFL issued a please explain to the Power on Saturday, and handed down their sanction for “conduct unbecoming” on Sunday resulting in a $20,000 fine for the Power.

While Cousins acknowledged Hinkley regretted the comments he believed it was unnecessary for Ginnivan to hand more ammunition to Port heading into the match.

“I didn’t typically think there was all that much in it,” he said on 92.9 Triple M.

“I did think after the incident that he probably might have wished that he hadn’t done it – even before he did come out and apologise.

“It just goes to show he was under a heap of pressure going into that game as Port Adelaide were and I just think it was a reflection of how much mileage they did get from the comments that Jack made.

“I think if nothing else too, a bit of a lesson for him in terms of just giving the opposition some ammunition going into a week, which was always going to be tough for both sides – why give anyone an advantage?”

Following a thrilling weekend of semi-final action Cousins says trying to pick a winner out of the four remaining sides is difficult but revealed he’s backing the experience of Geelong to lift the cup.

“I think Geelong just at home, but not with any confidence and yeah, I think Sydney should win. But I do worry about the fact that the last eight times Port Adelaide have beaten them, which I do think those things stack up,” he said.

“I think Sydney’s best footy has been one of if not better than anyone else this year, but I do think they have two big hurdles if they’re to win it, which is to get over Port Adelaide, which there is a mental aspect in that.

Camera IconCousins is backing the Cats to triumph this year. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“And then there’s also for a large part of the players that are playing for Sydney played two years ago when they were convincingly beaten by Geelong. So there is those mental hurdles. I’m not saying they’re not good enough or capable of doing it, but it’s going to be a fascinating watch.”

Cousins also revealed he will be walking down the red carpet at this year’s Brownlow Medal where he hopes a Western Bulldogs champion will finally get his reward.

“I’d love to see Bontompelli win it. I just think over the last three or four years, there might have been the odd player at times that’s been equal, but I don’t think anyone’s been better than him. And he’s getting towards the latter part of his career. I’d love to see him win it before he retires,” he said.

“There’s a couple of the other guys like Cripps and Lachie Neale who have won one already. I’m sure Daicos will win one before he’s done.

“I will be going. It’s another great footy industry night. I’ve really enjoyed the last two or three times I’ve gone.”

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