First Sando, now Power coach Ken Hinkley left confused by umpires Power coach Ken Hinkley. PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is confused by how to instruct his players on AFL rules - and is still waiting for answers from the league's umpiring department. Hinkley returns to AFL coaching tomorrow after having watched as a "frustrated supporter" the Power penalised with 38 free kicks in Hobart on Saturday. "That's the problem - we're not totally clear on what's allowed and what's not," said Hinkley yesterday, joining Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and his Geelong counterpart Chris Scott in highlighting the challenge of understanding AFL umpiring today. Hinkley had a call from AFL umpiring boss Jeff Gieschen, just as Crows mentor Brenton Sanderson did on Monday when the burning topic was marking contact. Gieschen offered Adelaide two apologies for penalising Crows midfielder Scott Thompson for marks he should have had against Carlton and Hawthorn in successive weeks. But Hinkley has no apology - nor clarity - for any of the 38 decisions that went against the Power in Hobart in the 10-point loss to North Melbourne. "I had a phone call from Jeff Gieschen to make comment on what happened with (Kangaroos midfielder Daniel Wells) a little pat (after he kicked a goal)," said Hinkley. It was purely a mix-up with names. Field umpire Shane McInerney explained his gestures to Wells were to make good after miscalling him Lindsay Thomas. "It was an opportunity for me to ask that question (of why Port was hit with 38 free kicks)," said Hinkley. I asked that question once Jeff rang me ... he was going to give me some feedback which he still hasn't. I'm sure that will be coming. And without answers from AFL House before Port's major training sessions, Hinkley - as with so many others in the game - faces confusion on how coaches are to instruct their players. "We remind the players all the time of some of the umpiring decisions that are going on," said Hinkley. The first hint of these decisions is often seen by the example set in Friday Night Football. We are aware we can't influence those decisions. We have to make sure we are well prepared. As every coach is saying, it is a pretty difficult game to umpire at the moment. And I would not like to be the umpires trying to sort through some of those decisions. They are doing a good job. Hinkley's perfect 5-0 record is technically protected by his absence by illness from Hobart where coaching director Alan Richardson managed the Power's 10-point loss. He describes his inability to be with his team last Saturday as "frustrating." "You don't see the whole game - that's the hard part," said Hinkley of his experience as an armchair coach at home. You can't see everything that is going on, so you sit there like a supporter hoping the boys can get the job done. (I learned) I like to be at the game. Hinkley yesterday played a very diplomatic card with former Power and current Richmond defender Troy Chaplin who delivered a caustic review of the coaching panel at Alberton before Hinkley's arrival in the summer. "He's been put in an awkward position," said Hinkley of Chaplin who tomorrow faces his former Port team-mates for the first time. He's asked to make comment on something he has been a part of. You would prefer he didn't make those comments.