Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley.Credit:AFL Photos
“We’ve got a commitment to go to the end of the season,with David and the board and myself - and the whole footy department - on the same page,” Hinkley toldThe Age. “We’ll get to August before decisions are made.
“You can ask anyone at our club and you’ll get the same response.”
Hinkley is entering his 11th season at the helm of the Power,having followed consecutive preliminary final appearances in 2020 and 2021 - theformer a narrow loss to eventual premiers Richmond - with what he said was a “disappointing year” in 2022,when the Power lost their first five games,recovered to win 10 out of 17 with several close losses,and missed the finals.
“All I know,from a club point of view,from David,myself,Chris,the board,everyone’s on the same page,” said Hinkley of this season.
“We all understand a performance industry and we’re not naive to that. But what we do know is that nothing’s achieved by making silly decisions or crazy decisions. We’ll prepare to get the season right,and really important to get the start of the season again right,and we’ll get through the season and see what happens from there.
“But all I know is that as a club,I’m really proud of the fact that we’re on the same page,that we know what we’re doing. Eleventh year doesn’t matter in some ways. The pressure comes from people outside and it comes on the coach,I get that. But our club knows what’s coming and we also know how to handle it.”