Earlier this month Ken Hinkley signed a contract extension that will see him remain at Alberton until the end of 2023, rewarding the 54-year-old after Port Adelaide jumped from a tenth-place finish in 2019 to a preliminary final appearance last year.
The last time I wrote an in-depth article about Port Adelaide and Ken Hinkley, I was less than complimentary.
The Port coach had a clause in his contract that required the club to play finals football in 2020 to trigger a contract extension. The performance clause on face value is a fairly low KPI after the previous five seasons, but the KPI was met, so the new deal came as no surprise.
Port Adelaide has performed sporadically in recent years. However, the new contract extension sits more favourably than the unwarranted extension Hinkley signed in 2017.
Ken Hinkley. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Rewriting history
If missing finals four out of the last six years before winning a solitary final was the master plan all along, then kudos, Port Adelaide. You hoodwinked me.
As enjoyable as last season was for Port fans, I do not quite fathom the preliminary final appearance was the result of a wonderful, well-orchestrated plan.
But I am more than happy to concede if the club can demonstrate last year was not a flash in the pan with sustainable performance in 2021 and beyond.
At the end of 2014 many AFL pundits thought success was ahead for the Power after a narrow preliminary final loss to Hawthorn. This did not come to fruition and it took another six years for Port to win a final.
It does feel different this time around. Certain list management decisions should have the Power list well placed in the coming years for whoever is at the helm as senior coach.
Ken Hinkley was one of if not the most under-pressure coach last year, so he certainly deserves credit for the season when he was under intense scrutiny.
Being named the AFL Coaches Association coach of the year was great recognition for the season, but to become a premiership coach Hinkley is going to have to rewrite the history books.
Overall Hinkley boasts a winning percentage of 57.5 per cent, which sits favourably alongside other coaches in the competition.
The concern is Hinkley’s length of tenure as one of the more experienced senior coaches at AFL level despite failing to see a premiership or grand final appearance thus far.
Many coaches have come and gone since Hinkley was appointed Port Adelaide coach in 2012. More than half the competition has won a premiership or played in a grand final during this period and there are six current coaches who are premiership coaches.
Damien Hardwick, a triple premiership coach, won his first flag in his eighth season. The other five managed to lead their respective teams to glory more quickly.
The 2021 season represents Hinkley’s ninth season in charge. A premiership for Nathan Buckley or Hinkley would see either take the mantle as the longest current serving coach to become a first-time premiership coach.
Last year I stressed that it was a massive task for the Power hierarchy to change the current trajectory and to generate trust, belief and unity among the Port faithful.
The 2020 season was a very good response to the naysayers. But it is premiership or bust for Port Adelaide in the next three years to vindicate a decade of faith in Ken Hinkley.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
okay so we differ on opinions, thats cool. :thumbup:
AD
Guest
I think Scott is contracted for 2 more seasons (end of 2022)? So they're pretty much locked into him until then. So I'd say they'll stick with him for one last crack with this current list then, if it turns into a rebuild they, (and he) might reassess. I can't see them going to the trouble and expense of paying out Scott before then just to bring in Hinkley. They'd have a hard enough time justifying it if it was to bring in a proven premiership coach like a Clarkson or Hardwick type. But to do so to bring in Hinkley who has 0 runs on the premiership board would be madness.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Well I agree with AD, but I see Geelong in 2 years time in the same position, but looking at a rebuild, so look I think Geelong would look at every possible fix, thats why I think they would be looking at a change.
AD
Guest
I'm not saying Geelong are happy to just be there and not win a flag. I'm saying there's nothing to indicate that Hinkley would get them any closer to winning a flag than Scott (leaving aside the fact that Scott has already won one, and just purely looking forward), so why would they bother making that change?
Seymorebutts
Guest
Winning a flag doesnt happen overnight.. West Coast had won more games than any other side in the 4 years leading up to their win in 2018. .. ironically some of their most toughest, most difficult games during that period were against Port!! Port were the best side all year for me in 2020.. Ok, Tigers got the Flag so good for them. But the Power must be kicking themselves seeing what could have been. If I was a betting man Id wager on a Tigers - Power GF in 2021. S0.. as a nuetral.. Re-signing Hinkley was a no brainer .
Mooty
Roar Rookie
The Geelong President and CEO made a joint statement after last year’s Grand Final saying they have the best coach in the AFL. They’re obviously easily pleased after not winning a flag for so long, same as Port
Mark
Guest
I know Port will win the premiership this year :thumbup:
Jorge of Brisvegas
Roar Rookie
Ken leveraged the Rodney Eade sacking and Kochie’s big mouth beautifully. Getting the extension was a master stroke with his creds. Since then he has built this side steadily and were clearly a top 4 side with “organic improvement”. The extension treads the middle ground well . If things progress well , he has 3 years with this side. Challenge is the two best players are their oldest (Boak & Gray) , but if other players overtake them (e.g. Butters, Rozzee, Dixon, etc ) then giddy up.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Are you saying Geelong would be happy to just be there and not win a flag? because currently that's whats happening. I believe Geelong is one of the most profession clubs in the AFL, if not the history of the AFL they are coached and managed fantastically, but if they aren't winning flags, then I believe they would be looking at every player and every coach that would get them a flag, the AFL like all profession sport and is very very cut throat.
AD
Guest
Geelong? They just made a grand final, and while they haven't won a flag for a while, they still have one under Chris Scott (although some might argue that he inherited a team from Mark Thompson that could have basically coached itself to that 2011 flag). But I doubt Hinkley would be an upgrade on Scott, so I find that idea fairly doubtful.
Ilias Mavromatis
Roar Rookie
Two preliminary finals losses. No GF appearances in how many years coaching yep high standards and most protected coach. Luck in Australia the sports media isn't as switched on as in England. He would of felt reak heat long before
XI
Roar Guru
That would be a bold move
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Sounds like the Pies Chucka
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I wouldn’t go so far as to call him outstanding. I’d also argue that aside from the egregious missteps surrounding the 2017 trade period the power haven’t done a lot wrong. I don’t think they should’ve traded Howard and that’s about it. I think the 2018 was spectacular for the power along with 2019. While I do think ken needs to make a granny over the next two years to assure him an extension particularly while gray, Dixon, Hartlett and boak are still there too
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Don’t forget the bills mafia. They made four successive superbowls and didn’t win a single one
okapiman
Roar Rookie
Interesting, I think overall Hinkley has been an outstanding coach. The clubs status has risen from easy beats to always hard to beat.. you know your in for a fight. A kick from a GF and likely a premiership thereafter.. Good luck to him and Port... last thing we want is another Richmond flag..
Maxy
Roar Rookie
glad you put arguably there Pablo,good player yes ,is he replaceable yes
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Big kudos to him for going to the draft in 2018 knowing it was finals or bust for him in 2020 getting Rozee Butters and Dursma and he went again in 2019 getting Bergmann Williams Meade and Georgiades, big Sammy Hayes there still also.Thats putting the club first before his contract.Hasn't done much wrong since 2018 ....
Boo
Guest
As a Cats fan always hold Ken Hinkley in high esteem but can he get the Power a flag , that I'm not sure of .Had a golden opportunity in 2020 home prelim could have got over the line against the Tigers then faced Geelong who they had beaten in the finals .Sometimes everything goes your way in the finals and then other years the rub of the green is against you so Port may have a harder time this year .Geelong had the easier prelim in 2011 and then ran over the top of Collingwood in the GF.Alot has to go right for Kenny to get that elusive flag .
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Good article Liam. Great to be reading articles that don't include Collingwood Collaminties for a change.