Port captain Connor Rozee stands by Ken Hinkley after devastating preliminary final loss

Power players and coaches looked grim after a fourth prelim final drubbing — but the side’s captain says Hinkley remains the right man for the job.

Power captain Connor Rozee has backed coach Ken Hinkley amid swirling criticisms of the side’s fourth preliminary final loss as players and coaches returned home after their crushing loss against the Swans.

The Port brigade looked solemn as they touched down at Adelaide Airport, with the majority of the team keeping a low profile as they exited the terminal.

First-year captain Rozee said he remained proud of his team despite the Power’s 36-point drubbing at the hands of an emphatic Sydney side.

“We felt like we were in a great opportunity to put ourselves in the grand final,” Rozee said.

“It’s certainly a balance of disappointment but also, for me, personally, it’s how proud I was of the group, we had some really challenging moments throughout this year where we got challenged from the outside and internally as well.”

Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, Will Drew and Ollie Wines arrive back in Adelaide after the losing their preliminary final to the Sydney Swans. Picture: Kelly Barnes

The first-year captain paid tribute to the efforts of the Sydney Swans and described them as the “side to beat”.

“They played some great football last night and they were pinnacle in front of goals and we probably weren’t,” Rozee said.

“What we have been challenging ourselves on a bit recently is our contest and effort and I think that was certainly there.

“When you look at the numbers and the stoppages and contested football we were right there with (Sydney) for the most part of the game but probably going forward, we weren’t quite as efficient as them.

“Going inside the forward line they rebound really well and scored really well at turnover, which (Sydney has) all year.

“They’re a great side and they’ve got some real weapons in their team.”

Rozee also expressed his pride in Port’s comeback after their loss against Geelong and commended his teammates efforts during their victorious game against Hawthorn.

With questions arising about the future of Ken Hinkley, who has failed to take Port Adelaide to a grand final during his 12 seasons in the position, Rozee said he still had full faith in his coach.

“(I have) enormous respect and admiration for Kenny, he’s done so much for our football club and it’s hard to put into words without seeing from the inside what he does,” Rozee said.

“He’s the first person to the club every morning and the last person to leave … he wants it more than anyone to bring success to our club and that’s why we love him so much.”

Coach Ken Hinkley returns to Adelaide after Port Adelaide’s preliminary final loss to the Sydney Swans. Picture: Kelly Barnes

For many supporters and players, last night’s result feels like deja vu — Rozee said he did not feel the prelim curse was a unique “Port Adelaide thing”.

“I mean you look at the side from a few years ago, I think we’ve got more than half of our side is completely different,” he said.

“A lot of sides get to prelims and don’t quite get there … as long as we keep turning up with the right attitude and effort I am sure we will get there one day.”

Connor Rozee at Adelaide Airport after Port Adelaide’s loss to the Sydney Swans. Picture: Kelly Barnes

While the Power now find themselves in their off-season, Rozee said he looked forward to returning with his team to “have another crack at it” in 2025.

“There are 14 other teams who would have killed to have been where we were last night and to have that opportunity, we fought really hard all year to get to that spot,” the 24-year-old said.

“We were one game away from the grand final and had given ourselves an opportunity to do something really special, so it probably just puts that fire in your belly again for next year.

“We’re still a young side who is getting better every year.

“We will look to getting back and put ourselves in the same opportunity next year.”

Originally published as Port captain Connor Rozee stands by Ken Hinkley after devastating preliminary final loss