He didn't back down when he was alone with Westhoff either.
Westhoff accepted his coach's harsh words, and admitted that while he was trying to help the team by standing up to Essendon's Cale Hooker in round 15, it was an unnecessary display of strength.
"Kenny wants every player to stick up for themselves but [my suspension] was a bit of a reckless move and he's told me that," Westhoff said to AFL.com.au
"He had a bit of fun with me later in the week but I knew where he was coming from – it was a stupid thing to do."
The silver lining for Westhoff was to spend match day with Hinkley and the other coaches, watching the game closely and listening to their criticisms and tactical decisions.
Although it was frustrating to watch from the sidelines, Westhoff believes that seeing the contest from a different viewpoint will help his game.
"It was good to get a different perspective on the game and how the coaches plan. It was a pretty full on experience," he said.
"The reliance on players to know their structures is very important. It makes a coach's life a lot easier for guys to know where they're supposed to be.
"It's always easier watching it in the stands than actually playing the game so it was frustrating not to be out there knowing where I could have potentially been.
"I'm looking forward to putting that into action this week."
Westhoff has posted career-best numbers in several areas this year, averaging 18 disposals, six marks, three tackles and almost a goal-and-a-half a game.
He said playing a "variety of positions" had helped boost his statistics this season, but that the real improvement in his game had been the reliability of his performances.
Earlier in the season, he placed a premium on becoming a player his teammates could count on.
"I've put a big focus on that and feel as though I've had a pretty consistent year," he said.
"I'm playing more good games and for longer periods which is good.
"To be in the game for longer periods of time and have a bit more influence on games is something I struggled with in past years, but that's probably been the biggest area I've improved on."
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.
