Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley declares season-opening win against Demons better than any other in his seven years with Power

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is rating Saturday’s 26-point win against Melbourne as better than any other in his seven years at the Power — even the finals.

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Ken Hinkley rates Port Adelaide’s season-opening triumph against Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday as his best-ever moment in AFL coaching.

“And that includes finals,” said Hinkley, who took the Power to the 2013, 2014 and 2017 AFL major round.

Hinkley started Season 2019 as he began his senior coaching story — against Melbourne at the MCG. And with victory, as he did in 2013 when he was lifting the Power off the canvas.

“This one (is better) by a long, long way,” Hinkley said. “Personally, 2013 may have been pretty satisfying because it was a long time getting an opportunity (to be an AFL senior coach).

“But there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this is the best win I’ve been involved in with Port Adelaide.”

Hinkley cast aside many doubts — on his coaching, his new game plan and his new-look team — by defying Melbourne, a preliminary finalist last year, while holding the Demons scoreless in the last term.

Power head coach Ken Hinkle during the Round 1 AFL match against Melbourne at the MCG. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

But more telling was the new attacking strength in the Power game plan that delivered 59 inside-50s and 27 scores (for an inaccurate 12.15) with 249-game club champion Justin Westhoff scoring five goals.

“Best win because of the side we put out there,” said Hinkley, who totally recast his 2018 line-up and gave four players their AFL debuts, including the Power’s three first-round draftees from November.

“And for the braveness that we showed right through the summer (to make significant changes to the playbook).

“Because of the commitment from a great group of young people.

“There were a lot of doubters. And I am really pleased and really proud (of the players).”

Hinkley’s pride in his four debutants — Willem Drew, Xavier Duursma, Zac Butters and Connor Rozee — is from their performances proving their worth in the AFL game.

“People use words like ‘gift games’ … there is not one of those players who were gifted a game; they had to earn them,” Hinkley said.

Hinkley paid tribute to his players for having the courage to push for a faster, more attacking game after Port Adelaide became defensive and stodgy last season.

“As a group we decided the way we were going to play — and they (the players) backed it,” Hinkley said. “To their credit, they wanted to play that way. And we (as coaches) jumped on with them.

“It is fantastic for them to get some confidence from that.

“The way we played is what I am really pleased with. For all those people who question mistakes in football, I would say we played the same way today as we want to play every game.

“Some days it might not quite work. It might not win every game. We are going to play that way. So there will be mistakes.”

Port Adelaide reported no injury on leaving the MCG, giving the Power a perfect lead-up to next weekend’s home clash with Carlton at Adelaide Oval.

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