Ken Hinkley, the departing head coach of the Port Adelaide Football Club, expressed his mixed emotions regarding his tenure, as he prepares for his final match on Friday night against the Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval. Hinkley, who has served as coach for 13 years, acknowledged the absence of a premiership title as a significant regret, stating, “Didn’t make a grand final, didn’t win one. That’s probably what it will be. That’s the reality of football.”
Under Hinkley’s leadership, Port Adelaide achieved notable success, including playoff appearances in seven of his thirteen seasons. However, the coach holds the unwanted record for the most games in the VFL/AFL without reaching a grand final. His winning percentage of 58.45% is higher than that of esteemed coaches such as Alastair Clarkson and Mick Malthouse, yet the lack of a championship title remains a poignant aspect of his legacy.
Reflecting on his journey, he remarked, “It stings a lot. I mean, that’s what you set out to do. You look at the results of a coach, and ultimately your result is to get to a grand final and win a grand final.” Hinkley guided the team to four preliminary finals but fell short each time, a reality he acknowledges with disappointment.
Hinkley’s appointment in October 2012 came after a series of higher-profile candidates, including Chris Scott and Rodney Eade, declined the position. At that time, he described himself as “the last man standing.” As he prepares to hand over the reins to long-time assistant Josh Carr, Hinkley expressed pride in his accomplishments, despite the challenges he faced.
“Some parts of the coaching role were pretty average,” he noted, highlighting the mental toll of the job. The late-night wakefulness and the pressures of high-stakes matches were ever-present. Yet, he emphasized the rewarding moments that made it worthwhile, stating, “Five minutes after a game, when you get a victory with them, it is enough—that is enough to drive you to keep doing this for your entire life.”
Hinkley described Port Adelaide as a “really successful footy club,” especially in recent years, where the team has consistently won matches. However, he acknowledged the pressure that came with the role, saying, “It seemed like after every loss, it was like ‘it’s time for you to go.’ I am staggered that I survived this long, to be honest.”
As the team and fans prepare to bid farewell to Hinkley, his legacy will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion. While he leaves without a grand final appearance, his impact on the club and its players is unmistakable. Hinkley’s journey exemplifies the highs and lows of coaching at the elite level, and his departure marks the end of an era for Port Adelaide.
