AFL 2020: Ken Hinkley confirms Port Adelaide’s interest in Orazio Fantasia
Ken Hinkley has confirmed Port Adelaide’s interest in homesick Essendon forward Orazio Fantasia, but he says there is one player the Power definitely won’t be offering up for trade.
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Ken Hinkley says Geelong recruiting Jeremy Cameron will put pressure on his side to improve its list, but the Port Adelaide coach expects a lot of its growth to come from youth, including its three untried 2019 national draft picks.
While the minor premier reflects on a missed opportunity after losing its home preliminary final to Richmond by six points on Friday night, the Cats are one win away from a flag and set to secure two-time All-Australian Cameron, who is a restricted free agent, from GWS.
The Power is favoured to recruit Essendon’s Orazio Fantasia if he requests a trade but Hinkley says his team, which has lost veterans Brad Ebert and Justin Westhoff to retirement, will not be very active in the trade period.
Hinkley echoed Power football manager Chris Davies’ comments from Wednesday by saying the club would be interested in Fantasia if the Norwood product indicated he was keen to return to SA.
But not at the expense of Ollie Wines, who he said the Bombers had chased for “eight years”.
“We haven’t said yes yet, so we’re not likely to say yes today,” Hinkley said.
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The AFL Coaches Association Senior Coach of the Year believes top-25 picks Miles Bergman, Jackson Mead and Dylan Williams can help make Port Adelaide better in 2021, along with incoming academy duo Lachlan Jones and Taj Schofield.
It (Cameron joining Geelong) puts pressure on you to improve your list, but that’s one of the things we’re reasonably comfortable with,” Hinkley said on SEN.
“Because of the COVID season, we had what we consider three first-round draft picks in Bergman, Williams and Mead, who never got an opportunity, really, to play.
“Normally we would expect those boys to get some type of look at it but because those second-tier competitions were so disjointed throughout the season, where you were getting 14-a-side games, those boys didn’t really get a great roll into AFL football.
“I’m really optimistic that all three of those boys will play AFL next year.
“We’ve got room to improve already within our squad and with a couple of boys coming in, and whatever happens in the trade period.”
‘HUMBLED’ HINKLEY CLAIMS TOP COACHING HONOUR
- Lauren Wood
Ken Hinkley has been named the game’s coach of the year after Port Adelaide sat atop the ladder for the entirety of the season.
Hinkley on Tuesday night claimed honours in the AFL Coaches’ Association’s Monjon Allan Jeans Senior Coach of the Year for the second time, ahead of Brisbane counterpart Chris Fagan and grand finalist Geelong coach Chris Scott.
Recognised via a Zoom conference, Hinkley — who was lauded alongside Richmond senior advisor Neil Balme who was awarded the Neale Daniher AFL Coaches Association Lifetime
Achievement Award — said he was “very humbled” by the nod after a difficult season of challenges.
“There were any number of coaches who could have justifiably been awarded this honour for 2020,” he said.
“I am very grateful especially when you look at all the great coaches who have received this award in years’ gone by.
“Ultimately though this award is a team effort and a reflection upon an entire group at Port Adelaide.
“This wouldn’t be possible without an outstanding playing group led by Tom Jonas and the countless hours of support from my assistant coaches, list management team and GM of football Chris Davies.
“And a massive thank you to all our members who have stood by the club and supported us through so much adversity in 2020. Your support of me, the playing group and the entire club has been amazing.
“And of course without the incredible support of my family I wouldn’t be in the position to pursue my passion for coaching.
“I’m just very fortunate that I have so many great people around me.”
AFLCA chief Mark Brayshaw said he was “lost in admiration for all the coaches and their families” after the way they had navigated the 2020 season.
“For Ken, this is just a fantastic result. He’s had a great season, keeping Port Adelaide top of the ladder in their 150th season,” he said.
“Many questions were asked about Ken over summer. The Port supporters take their football very seriously, so the pressure was on. In true style he stood tall, with strong connection and care for his players, Ken put it on the line at the start of the season and narrowly missed a Grand Final appearance.”
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Western Bulldogs assistant Daniel Giansiracusa was named AFLCA assistant coach of the year.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said that Balme, who earlier this month declared he would be staying at Punt Road, has “had an enormous influence on me personally” and had allowed him to see the power of positivity in coaching.
“He’s always positive,” Hardwick said.
“He’ll always see the bright side of anything.”
2020 MONJON ALLAN JEANS SENIOR COACH OF THE YEAR
1. KEN HINKLEY – PORT ADELAIDE – 236 Votes
2. CHRIS FAGAN – BRISBANE LIONS – 191 Votes
3. CHRIS SCOTT – GEELONG CATS – 154 Votes
2020 AFL COACHES ASSOCIATION ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR
1. DANIEL GIANSIRACUSA – WESTERN BULLDOGS
2. NIGEL LAPPIN – GEELONG CATS
3. LUKE POWER – CARLTON BLUES
Originally published as AFL 2020: Ken Hinkley confirms Port Adelaide’s interest in Orazio Fantasia