AFL 2022: Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley not moved by supporter vandalism that he called weak

Port Adelaide supporters who voiced their displeasure with Ken Hinkley by defacing a club sign have copped a serve from the coach.

Ken Hinkley isn’t fazed by criticism. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Under-fire Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has lashed out at vandals who defaced a club sign calling for his sacking, labelling it a weak act that crossed the line.

With the Power’s finals chances all but dashed by last weekend’s loss to Geelong, a disgruntled fan or fans plastered a “Sack Hinkley” poster over a sign on busy Port Rd near the club’s Alberton headquarters on Monday morning.

When asked about the vandalism on Thursday, Hinkley made light of the issue before taking a more serious tone.

“I come the other way, so I didn’t see anything,” Hinkley quipped with a wry smile.

“But it worries me not one bit.

“I think it’s a really poor thing to do, I think it’s a really weak thing to do.

“It doesn’t worry me. I move on with my day, I move on with my week, and I prepare my team the best I possibly can.

“Every football club has great passion in it, but there is a line.”

It's inevitable. No amount of propaganda from @michelangeloruc or @kanecornes will be able to stop it. @kochie_online 's 10-year coach gamble is over, and it hasn't paid off. pic.twitter.com/kIoH1iXu78

— Has Ken Hinkley been sacked yet? (@KenSacked) July 24, 2022

Speculation about Hinkley’s future has mounted as Port’s mid-season rally after an 0-5 start petered out.

Three losses from the past four matches have relegated the Power’s finals bid to the realms of mathematical possibility with an 8-10 record with four rounds remaining.

However, Hinkley isn’t yet ready to concede defeat.

“The mood of the group is that we’re still in the fight, we’re still in the challenge and we’re going to keep chasing,” he said.

“I don’t think anyone would expect me to stand here and say that we’re not chasing as hard as we’ve ever chased.

“We’re going to keep going.

“We’ll stay in it as long as we possibly can.”

Hinkley, who is contracted to continue his tenure into an 11th season next year, has received the backing of players and chairman David Koch alike following the stunning 12-point loss to the Cats at Adelaide Oval.

The 55-year-old remains steadfast in his belief that he is the right man for the job and doesn’t see the need to seek assurances about his future from club powerbrokers.

“I’ve got a contract for next year … I don’t need to have a conversation,” he said.

“It’d be different if I was out of contract, but we’re all on the same page here. There’s not one little bit of divide in what we’re trying to achieve.”

Tom Jonas will play game 200 for Port Adelaide. Picture: Emily Barker/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Port will make at least two changes for Saturday’s clash against Collingwood at the MCG, with Dan Houston (concussion) and Riley Bonner (Covid protocols) out.

The encounter takes on extra significance for the Power, with highly respected duo Tom Jonas and Ollie Wines to play their 200th AFL matches.

“They’re just great people,” Hinkley said.

“It’s such a great milestone and they’re such great mates. They’re captain and vice-captain, they’ve done a lot of things at this footy club for a long time and it’s a remarkable performance that they play their 150th together and their 200th together.

“It’s a pretty special day for them.”

Hinkley confirmed first-choice ruckman Scott Lycett’s season was likely over, with the star veteran undergoing antibiotic treatment to fight an infection in the shoulder he had surgery on following round 4.

Originally published as AFL 2022: Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley not moved by supporter vandalism that he called weak