Power coach Ken Hinkley says former Crows mentor Don Pyke is doing well post-footy, and praised his successor Matthew Nicks
Almost three months since Don Pyke quit his coaching career at Adelaide, the man who took the Crows to a grand final is doing well in life after footy according to Ken Hinkley. The Power mentor also praised Pyke’s successor, Matthew Nicks.
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Ken Hinkley has reached out to the Crows’ two most recent senior coaches, Don Pyke and Matthew Nicks, to wish them well.
Pyke resigned in September after four seasons at West Lakes, which included reaching the 2017 grand final and a 6-2 Showdown record against Port mentor Hinkley.
Nicks, who was a Power assistant alongside Hinkley from 2013-18, was appointed as Pyke’s replacement in October.
Hinkley said Nicks was really well prepared for the Crows role after his one-year stint as a senior assistant at GWS this past season.
“I’ve spoken to him a couple of times and life’s different – and he’s got three little ones, so that’s a real challenge for him,” Hinkley told The Advertiser.
“I caught up with him in Melbourne before the preliminary final (win against Collingwood).
“He’ll do that connection stuff really well … and has got all the experience that he needs, he’s just going to get the chance to steer now.”
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Hinkley said he had also touched base with Pyke “not long ago just to have a chat and say ‘well done’.”
“He’s going good,” he said.
“It’s a bloody tough job and Don got to a grand final – I wish I could get to a grand final.
“He’s done some pretty good things for the Adelaide footy club.
“There’s only 18 (AFL senior coaches) and there’s an awareness of what each other has to do and put up with, and the scrutiny that comes with it.
“Now Nicksy gets to take it over and build on some of the things Don’s done.”
At Pyke’s resignation press conference, he spoke about the toll coaching had taken on him and his family, saying it was a unique environment and the pressure was significant.
Hinkley said Pyke’s comments were “pretty real, pretty accurate”.
“It’s not just Adelaide – football’s gone to a whole new level of cameras on, lights on, reporters talking every day, social media,” he said.
“Everything’s there for everyone to see and you get judged on every moment of what you do.
“It’s intense in most places but because there’s only two teams (in Adelaide) clearly it’s got more of a focus and you’re in the news every day, whether it’s good news, bad news or just not news.
“I love the job, I love every part about it and part of that is you’re faced with some scrutiny that’s pretty demanding.
“There’s not a more demanding group than Port Adelaide supporters, I don’t think, and that’s great.”