The full Hinkley experience: Behind the scenes of a historic day at the Power

Defiance and emotion have defined Ken Hinkley’s reign at Port Adelaide. After fighting for so long, the Power coach finally has an Alberton end date. Matt Turner takes you inside a historic day.

Ken Hinkley’s voice quivered when he revealed how Port Adelaide’s squad learnt of his coaching handover to Josh Carr at season’s end.

“Luckily enough I didn’t have to tell them because I don’t think I would’ve got through that bit,” Hinkley said as he clasped his hands together.

“Richo (Power chief executive Matthew Richardson) told them with my blessing.”

It was another insight into the heart-on-sleeve personality and tight bond with his players that had been key components of Hinkley’s 12 seasons as Port Adelaide’s senior coach.

And showed that even though the 58-year-old felt the decision to walk away was the right one, it was “hard to accept because you don’t want to say it”.

Ken Hinkley’s time as Port Adelaide coach will end after this season. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Hinkley, a self-described fighter who had constantly fielded questions about his future over the past decade, now had an end date at Alberton.

Wednesday’s press conference announcing his departure at the ground he had called home since late 2012 was the full Hinkley experience.

Tinged with emotion. A little combative. Defiant. Reflective. Funny.

He spoke fondly of his players’ support, saying “they don’t let people they care about make decisions like that without care back, that’s what I love”.

“They’ll be able to call me a grandfather figure now,” Hinkley joked.

He took a few swipes at media critics who had claimed “we were no good” when it had been a flag contender in four of the past five seasons.

He was steadfast that he remained the right person to coach the Power this year.

A question about how he helped to turn a broken club into a regular finalist was met with a proud response: “It’s a great feeling”.

Gags also came thick and fast.

Such as Hinkley saying he should be allowed to switch roles with midfield coach Carr so he could claim credit for star on-ball trio Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis.

And that mulling over his next career move in October, when he usually holidayed in Hamilton Island with his wife, Donna, was not a good idea.

“I’ll probably get a clip, but I’m a bit of a worker,” Hinkley said.

“She’d like me to be in Hamilton Island, but she won’t want me to be home every day.”

The Power reached this point after a kitchen conversation between Hinkley and Carr over the past fortnight when the master told the apprentice he would pass the baton at the end of his contract this year.

“I was getting a cup of tea,” Hinkley said.

Carr added: “I was obviously super happy, honoured, privileged … then it was a bit of asking how we both were about it. And we’ve had those conversations along the way. We’re in a good spot.”

Aside from the marathon 40-minute press conference with two coaches, a chairman, a large press pack and a history-making announcement on a 43C heat, Wednesday was business as usual.

They answered questions in the standard media room with no players or either of the coaches’ families.

Expect the ceremonial stuff at year’s end.

Hinkley said he felt “not one bit” different during training, despite Richardson breaking the news to the players in the morning, not long before they stepped onto the track.

The veteran coach spent much of the first half an hour of the session talking to long-time club chaplain Brandon Chaplin along the boundary.

Hinkley then joined the fray in the middle of the ground, while Carr oversaw a group drill on the wing.

It was a typical training day.

Josh Carr will take over in 2026. Picture: RoyVPhotography

Hinkley spoke to second-year wingman Will Lorenz, watched vision under the replay screen with Rozee and midfielder Hugh Jackson, then chatted with national recruiting manager Geoff Parker and injured forward Todd Marshall.

Wednesday’s announcement struck a familiar tone to the one that unveiled Hinkley as senior coach in October 2012.

Port chairman David Koch referred to Carr as the right man standing.

Hinkley used that term to describe himself when he was appointed 12-and-a-half years ago after critics of the Power’s coaching search called him the ‘last man standing’.

At Port’s family day at Alberton on Saturday, someone with either a sense of humour or sense of what was coming played Elton John hit ‘I’m Still Standing’ immediately after Hinkley spoke to the crowd.

Hinkley is at the Power for another seven months.

And he will be desperate for his farewell tour to culminate with a long-awaited premiership for the club.

Originally published as The full Hinkley experience: Behind the scenes of a historic day at the Power