The calls for Ken Hinkley’s head have become noticeably quieter in the last few weeks. That is due to the Power losing by only 3 to Carlton and managing to snag two wins, against West Coast and St Kilda respectively.
But let’s be real, was any of that to do with Ken Hinkley’s coaching? No.
The only reason Hinkley wasn’t fired on Easter weekend is Carlton’s inability to play four quarters of strong football. At one point it looked like they were about to lose by 100 before the players decided to earn a bit of pride back and capitalise on a tired Blues outfit.
Impressive second-half push by a group determined not to be laughed off the park again, but at the end of the day, the record book still reads L.
The win against West Coast is a write-off, just like anybody’s victory over the Eagles this year. That club is a mess from top to bottom, with Covid, injuries galore and their own coaching issues resulting in a borderline WAFL team taking the field every week. It doesn’t count.
The only positive of the game was that Hinkley finally sent his key forward in Todd Marshall to the goal square, not the pocket. What happened? He kicked five goals.
Last week, a one-point win over the best Saints outfit in years, handing them their second loss of the year. But had Port made any amazing adjustments to the game plan or line-up? Positional changes for the better maybe? No.
However, there was one major change that was made, but for the worse. In a wet game where you need to rely on your key forwards to rise above the pack to take chest marks in the goal square, Hinkley sent Marshall, fresh off five goals straight back to the pocket, with Robbie Gray playing one out in the square.
Yes, Gray kicked 2.2 for the game and is undoubtedly the most clutch player in the competition, ultimately winning the game for Port, I’m not attacking his talent by any means, I do have a pair of eyes. But at 6 foot 0, is he the most suitable replacement for Charlie Dixon in the square? No way!
(Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
I’m pretty sure he’s proven that time and time again, especially when it was his ability to play high and push to the footy that ultimately got him that crucial behind to win the game.
But there is no escaping that in regular conditions, Saints would have most likely subdued the Power easily, especially with no key defenders to stop Max King, who would’ve been able to take clean marks with a dry footy.
Saints could have played their hot hand footy that has been crisp and classy in 2022, instead of being out contested by bigger bodies such as Ollie Wines, Travis Boak and Sam Powell-Pepper. They played in the saturated Tropics during the wet season. The ball was basically a bar of soap, it wasn’t a game of footy, it was water polo and in the end they just ground their way to the narrowest of wins.
So, three weeks of ‘stronger’ performances by Port has all of sudden saved his job?
Stop it.
Port made Mark Williams stand down in 2010, a season that started 5-2. Hinkley has gone 2-5, with the 2 having major question marks hanging over it. It’s time to rip the bandage off.
Stop defending a man who clearly has lost control of a team that doesn’t want to play for him, just because he’s taken you to finals five out of the ten years he’s been there, with zero premierships to show for it.
If Port is to move forward in any capacity, Hinkley needs to go and soon.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
He is a good coach and its clear the players appreciate him so the call of the team not playing for him is just air. Selection should have been taken from him a few years ago as in at least 2 Prelims we haven't put our best team on the field. There is 50 to 75 gamer who keep getting a game but who's effort and contribution is very poor. Additionally the coaching team needs to take responsibility of the gap in mental strength against the best. ( that doesn't include winning tight games against St Kilda and Carlton btw ) Losing prelims against those good to great sides of Hawks and Tigers is no disgrace but 2021 Bulldogs prelim was very bad. Clarkson would clean up with this current squad
Willie
Roar Rookie
I'm no Port fan, but unless you have inside knowledge, I'm not sure you can say with any accuracy that the players are not playing for him.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Clarkson is not a developer he is an assembler of available talent so Tasmania is not more than rumour.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Not that again Dab we get good people coming here coaches and players but no argument we haven't gone the final step. you are thinking of the other club here
BillyW
Roar Rookie
Hmm good point, either or but maybe Williams is a better fit being a night game.....I'd like to see Mitch given a rest either way as he has had some big jobs and the calf soreness is a gentle warning.....I suspect he'll be cleared and play though, I wouldn't even bother fitness testing him...Lord is definitely promising
Squiggly
Guest
Like Chris Scott
Lindy
Guest
A bit like Chris Scott
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Yeah Charlie is 31 I think,hope his ankles hold up should be ok for a couple more seasons.Good Idea about Kenny,I like it.
MattinSG
Guest
And that is it to a "T". The injuries have hurt, but there is something more fundamental. I recall walking out of Optus after losing an unlosable game against Freo in 2018(?). We were killing them in the midfield but kept just bombing the ball into the forward line hoping for a miracle (sound familiar cf Hawthorn 2022). How have we not evolved passed this?
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
If Marshall can come good, which he will eventually and we can get two more years from Charlie, hopefully Lord comes on and we'll be ok. Better signs from Todd the last few weeks. I think a fresh set of eyes at the end of the year, unless Kenny pulls off a miracle is the right way to go. I'd actually be super happy if Ken went to head of football and then bring in a new coach, I think Ken has the kind of personality that could handle that kind of move
Cozzy
Roar Rookie
Imho I believe with the list we've had/got Clarko would've gotten us a flag by now.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Given the state of his contract, he's basically got until the end of the year, they won't sack him. Maybe, just maybe, this little period might help him evolve and make his a better coach. I still think he's done a reasonable job over the years, but perhaps the message gets old? It happens. I don't totally agree with the bit about Robbie in the square, that's a good move when you want to win a game of footy.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Don't get me wrong.I believe Hinkleys time is up after 10 years,good time for both parties to move on.Think Port lack a couple of key players to seriously challenge for a flag imo.They might be on the list or we might have to try and get them elsewhere.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
In the last 10 years? I'm going to disagree, I say we would have
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Yeah,heard he might have a calf issue or something so could be good to give him a rest.Would you go Lord or Williams ,would be one of them.Williams more a like for like in height and sneaky around goals.Lord more of a key forward type stretch the doggies for height along with Marshall and Finlayson.Been reading good things about Lord,really starting to ramp up the pressure on our key forwards,something we haven't had in a while.Looks like Dixon may play SANFL this week so the fight for spots really heating up
COB
Roar Rookie
" a man who has clearly lost control of a team that doesn't want to play for him." Silly statement based on what evidence? Would have lost to Saints if that was the case regardless of the conditions.
BillyW
Roar Rookie
I reckon Georgie needs a rest Hub....what do you think about giving Lord a run this week?
BillyW
Roar Rookie
Who are you talking to? Or are you just trying to gather some numbers for the "Sack the Coach" rally after only 7 rounds?? It's Port here not Carlton.... Ok So let's be real..... Was there even a remote chance of Ken being sacked Easter weekend even if we had not brought it back....no there wasn't, what a ridiculous statement. So if wins over WC don't count what should we do for teams that lose to them?..... And let me gets this right, you're saying the only major move he has made is the one that won us a close game but it had nothing to do with him?? Seems strange, Robbie one out in our 50 is nothing new either..... Given it's a hypothetical there is actually a very easy way of escaping your presumption that the Saints would have won in the dry! (even if I suspect you're right!) You stop it!...the hyperbole that is.....if callin for his head after 4 weeks is ridiculous so to is 3 weeks to save his job.. Again, who are you talking to? We are well aware there has been 10 years with no flag, in fact there is another 12 teams out there with no flag to show for their last 10 years, we are also well aware of Hinkleys influence on the Club as a whole......to say Port wont move forward in "any capacity" if we don't move him on "soon" is again, you guess it, ridiculous and more hyperbole (I commend your consistency). But don't get it twisted, I can't see Port playing finals this year or achieving the milestones I would have set to see him, as a minimum, being able to see out his current contract....i.e. I think this should be his last year but IMO he has earnt the right to stay until the end of the year (I actually hope that when the very small chance of finals dwindles he will give the club his blessing to shop around quietly for his replacement...
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Do you think if clarkson coached port they would win a flag.I say no
1dawg
Roar Rookie
It's Dew