Tom Rockliff says Port Adelaide will not be distracted by outside noise

Power midfielder Tom Rockliff says coach Ken Hinkley has built great relationships with his players but is not averse to having tough conversations when needed.

TOUGH LOSS: Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley consoles his charges after the one-point loss to GWS at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. Picture: SARAH REED.

• Ollie’s pushing to play in vital Bombers’ clash
• Has Dixon done enough to demand return?
• Damning statistic in Port’s win-loss record
• Super Sunday in store for Crows, Power

Tom Rockliff has thrown his support behind under-fire Port Adelaide mentor Ken Hinkley, describing him as an “outstanding coach’’ and declaring the players will not be distracted by “outside noise’ about his future.

Facing a season-defining clash against red-hot Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, Rockliff said the Power players — coming off three consecutive losses — were totally focused on making a last-ditch finals push and had not been affected by speculation regarding the coach, who he said had their full support.

“Ken’s an outstanding coach,’’ Rockliff told The Advertiser.

“He has the ability to have tough conversations with players when they need to be had but he also builds great relationships with the players.

Live stream the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on KAYO SPORTS. Every match of every round. Live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14-day free trial.

“The boys really respect him and we’re right behind him and want him to stay as coach of this football club.’’

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley with midfielder Tom Rockliff. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

Hinkley has two years to run on his contract but is under increasing pressure to retain his job as the club faces the prospect of missing the finals for the fourth time in the past five years.

Former Brisbane captain Rockliff, in his second year at Port after 154 games in nine seasons at the Lions, said the players were not reading anything into speculation about Hinkley’s future.

“There's a lot of outside noise about him but it’s irrelevant and the boys don’t read anything into it,’’ he said.

“I can speak for what it's like as a player at the footy club and we don't get caught up in any of that.

“The boys all have good relationships with Ken and love coming to work at the footy club every day.

“We’ve got a great environment here and are focused on trying to finish the year strongly.’’

Rockliff said the 8-10 Power had paid a high price for “poor execution’’ at times this season, which had seen it fall out of the top eight.

But he backed his team to play well against the Bombers, who have won five games in a row to sit seventh, and push hard for a finals spot.

Rockliff said the club was also well positioned for the future because of its strong core of young players, most notably last year’s first-round draft picks Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma.

“We’ve been in a lot of games this year and it’s about executing in a few key moments, which we haven’t been able to do often enough,’’ he said of why Port had struggled to cement a finals spot.

“Our best footy has proved to be good enough to match it with any team in the competition but unfortunately we haven’t been able to produce that consistently.

“We clearly want to play finals this year but beyond that I think we have the list that leaves us very well placed moving forward.’’