‘That’s crazy’: Power coach told his job’s ‘untenable’ as war of words erupts
Kane Cornes has rubbished his former captain’s declaration Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is a dead man walking.
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Kane Cornes has rubbished a public declaration from his former Port Adelaide captain Warren Tredrea surrounding the future of embattled coach Ken Hinkley.
The veteran coach’s future slipped further into uncertainty after the club’s 31-point loss to the Crows in Saturday night’s Showdown.
Tredrea on Monday put Hinkley’s job up for debate when he said the 56-year-old’s position is “untenable” just three rounds into the season.
Port Adelaide has been open about where Hinkley sits with his two-year contract extension expiring at the end of the 2023 season.
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President David Koch said earlier this year, the club would not be discussing Hinkley’s future until August.
That came after a shock claim in February the club already had a plan for assistant coach Josh Carr to take over the top job.
Tredrea has the drums beating louder after his outspoken comments on Monday.
“There is an element of fans disconnect with their board and with their coach and I just look where Ken Hinkley sits, he has been there for 10 years, he is contracted until the end of the year and for me it looks, albeit it Round 3, it just looks untenable where they have Sydney in Sydney and then the Bulldogs at home in Gather Round,” Tredrea said.
He went on to say on the Big Deal Podcast: “I’ve butted heads with him in the past, and that is nothing personal, it is just performance.
“I get it is early in the season but for me it is you know what he (Hinkley) is not going to be there in 2024.
“I can’t see it, if he does well then I will be the first to say well done, but right now it just looks untenable.”
Cornes responded on Monday night by suggesting sacking Hinkley right now was not the answer. The club has started its season with one win from the first three rounds.
Despite being premiership teammates, Cornes and Tredrea have on several occasions butted heads in their public commentary of the club.
“He’s kicking with the breeze on this one. It’s a strong breeze,” Cornes said of Tredrea on Channel 9’s Footy Classified.
“That’s the frustration of the Port Adelaide supporters which he’s tapping into. There’s a frustration there for three or four years.
“I don’t think there is a benefit to sack your coach after two poor performances. What is that going to achieve? Who will you give the caretaker role to? He’s suggesting Josh Carr. Is he willing to do it? Are you willing to give up the season two games into it?”
Cornes said Hinkley likely needs to guide the team to the grand final to be safe.
He said locking up Carr now would also take away any opportunity the club had to assess other coaching options that could open up in coming months.
Matthew Lloyd said on the TV show that it was “crazy” to think about sacking Hinkley now.
Bernie Vince, the former Adelaide and Melbourne star, said in February the writing was on the wall for Hinkley.
He (Hinkley) is fighting a losing battle here,” Bernie said on the Rush Hour with Bernie, Blewey and Jars.
“I think they’ve already got a plan for Josh Carr to take over. I think that will happen.
“Basically Kenny Hinkley would have to win the flag, or make a grand final (to get a new contract).
“That’s what I think and I don’t think they’ll do that.”
The Power were active in the off-season after finishing 11th on the ladder in a truly disappointing season last year.
They added excitement machine Junior Rioli while also luring gun youngster Jason Horne-Francis away from North Melbourne.
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