Loading
Hinkley took over as coach in 2013 when Port Adelaide were on their knees, having missed finals for five consecutive seasons following their humiliating loss to Geelong in the 2007 grand final. He immediately coached them back to the finals in 2013, and they narrowly missed making the 2014 grand final, losing the preliminary final to Hawthorn by three points.
Their best chances to make grand finals came in 2020 and 2021 when they lost back-to-back home preliminary finals. Though players and staff were fiercely loyal, Hinkley came under fierce pressure from supporters but won many back as the team re-emerged in 2023 and 2024.
Port Adelaideโs succession plan mirrors Collingwoodโs plan for Nathan Buckley to take over from Mick Malthouse at the end of 2011, which had a two-year lead-in but was ultimately considered a failure when Malthouse left ahead of schedule. Ben Rutten also succeeded John Worsfold as coach of Essendon in 2021 after being selected to take over during 2020.
Hinkley enters his final season on the back of controversy to finish 2024. Port Adelaide received a $20,000 fine following their semi-final win over Hawthorn after Hinkley mocked Hawthornโs Jack Ginnivan as the players walked from the ground. Hinkley apologised for his actions but the club was found to have breached the leagueโs conduct unbecoming rule.
About The Author
