AFL 2024: Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley on West Coast speculation, midfielder Willem Drew on his 100th game milestone

Reports this week have suggested Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is a leading contender to replace Adam Simpson at West Coast. So, what did the man himself think of all the talk?

Toby McMullin of the Giants tackles Willem Drew

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has distanced himself from speculation linking him with the vacant West Coast position.

Reports suggested Hinkley had become a contender to replace Adam Simpson at the Eagles despite being contracted at Alberton until the end of next year.

It was far from the first time the 12th-year Power coach had been mooted as a candidate for other jobs so he said he was not frustrated by it.

Hinkley said in response to whether he had heard the noise coming out of Perth: “We’ve got a big job with five games left in our season and hopefully more to play”.

“It’s really clear about one thing – I’m coaching Port Adelaide, I love coaching Port Adelaide and I have a contract to continue coaching Port Adelaide.

“I’m so used to it (the speculation) and everyone is so used to it in the competition.

“I get it, there’s a lot of other people that’s been mentioned.

“Unfortunately I get mentioned lots of times on different things.”

Ken Hinkley has distanced himself from the West Coast speculation. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos

Hinkley said he was focused on trying to take the Power as far as it could this year.

Port Adelaide enters Friday night’s game against Carlton at Marvel Stadium in seventh spot with an 11-7 record.

“It’s really simple, I’ve got a clear thing I have to do and that’s give the team the best chance and our coaching group the best chance to make sure we maximise this season,” he said.

“They’re in a really strong position now if we can make the next five weeks count and that gives ourselves a great chance.

“Some of the stories might change.”

The long-time narrative that the Power has struggled to beat the best sides, particularly on the road, gets tested again versus the Blues.

Charlie Dixon and the Power celebrate last week’s win over Richmond. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos

Port Adelaide, which has defeated sixth-placed Geelong on the Cats’ home deck this year but has lost to Collingwood and GWS, will enter Friday night’s clash in seventh spot with an 11-7 record.

“We beat the Bulldogs two weeks ago and everyone’s talking about them as a really strong team, which they are if they play at their best – and we can be if we play at our best,” Hinkley said.

“The end of the year will tell you (if the team measures up to the competition’s top teams).

“Wait until the end of the season and see where we sit.”

Hinkley revealed little about selection, other than saying forward Todd Marshall (hip) would miss a second consecutive match.

Drew overcomes ‘question marks’ to bring up milestone

– Simeon Thomas-Wilson

As he battled foot injuries in his first few years, Willem Drew thought his career might end before it would truly begin at Port Adelaide.

But on Friday the Power leadership group member will play his 100th game for Port, as an under-the-radar yet extremely important member of the side.

The 25-year-old was drafted with the 33rd pick of the 2016 draft, but it was far from smooth sailing early on at Alberton.

He played just 10 games in his first four years as he battled serious foot injuries.

After he suffered yet another in 2020, he feared his career might be over.

But the Power saw enough to offer him another contract.

He has paid it back in spades, becoming a leader and one of the most consistent players at the Power.

“It is something that I am extremely proud of and for me it is about being grateful for the journey that I have had so far,” he said.

“I’ve been at this club for eight years and still got a couple to go but I know all my family and mates are really proud of what I have been able to do and I’m very pumped.

“Yeah there was a little bit of question marks around that and not knowing what was going on, but I have had so many great people at this club who have supported and helped me along the journey and it has helped me into the player I am today.

“It definitely wasn’t easy at the start but I am super grateful for everything.

“I had to lean on some experienced players and the medical staff as well, they have been massive for me so have my family and friends back home.”

Willem Drew is set to run out in his 100th game this weekend against Carlton. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

The Power’s Friday night clash against Carlton being at Marvel Stadium rather than Adelaide Oval means the big contingent of family and friends coming down from Warrnambool just have to do the three-hour drive rather than find their way to South Australia.

“I am really happy to get to the 100-game milestone,” Drew said.

“It is going to be a really special game.”

He will run out for the milestone game as a member of the Power’s leadership group, something he never really saw coming.

“I suppose it has been a bit of a step-up this year in the leadership side of things,” he said.

“I thought it wasn’t something that would happen but I have enjoyed it.

“We are all new, Connor (Rozee) and Zak (Butters) have been super this year and it has been great to work with them.”

With Carlton boasting star midfielders Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh, should he get over a hip knock, there is a strong chance Drew could be tagging in his 100th game.

He said he didn’t mind at all.

“I’ll just see what Kenny (Hinkley) reckons and I’ll do whatever is needed,” he said.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley on West Coast speculation, midfielder Willem Drew on his 100th game milestone