Ken Hinkley, the soon to be outgoing coach of Port Adelaide, was as ever a controversial character. His emotional outbursts on the field undoubtedly command the headlines. Most recently, he made headlines for a jovial scene in the coaches’ box that went viral during his side’s must-win game against Hawthorn. Port Adelaide tailed off badly after challenging early going down nine goals to one after a bright start. In the depths of the crisis, Hinkley made everyone laugh by mischievously faking a set of new gnashers with a stick of white rock. This act, which he executed directly into the camera, was one of the few moments of comic relief in the otherwise dramatic stand-off.
This fourth season of Hinkley’s tenure as head coach has been characterized by a growing, passionate bond with the fans. Although he has been criticised at times, he has received almost universal backing from the Port Adelaide community. As he enters his final seven games in charge, his ability to maintain humor even in challenging circumstances stands out.
Over his 13 years with the team, Hinkley has developed a reputation for being open and honest, and to some, an emotion instilled at times. Due to the level of emotional investment he garners, his supporters and political analysts are constantly oscillating between awe and suspicion. “Ken Hinkley, he’s got seven games left to coach — he hasn’t lost his sense of humour,” remarked Corbin Middlemas, highlighting the coach’s resilience.
That contrast in Hinkley’s coaching came through strongly in the recent semi-final against Hawthorn. Once Port got up by the first three goals, they put themselves in a tough position, letting their opponents get on top of them on the scoreboard. It’s not often that a senior team coach appears in such buoyant spirits. Not when his team is in the throes of an eight-goal run against them, especially. As one baffled fan put it, “It’s hard to imagine a senior statesman in his 13th year would behave in such a manner. This is the stuff that happens when you’re on the receiving end of an eight-goal streak against your team. And all this for a team that, by his own admission, should be in contention.”
Even behind the pressure, some observers feel that Hinkley’s attitude is indicative of a wider realization of the difficulties in front of us. In any traumatic situation, we went through denial, we went through anger — we’re at acceptance and embracement now,” said Jason Richardson. This hopeful sentiment will certainly ring true with those who have been following Hinkley’s story all along.
Campbell Brown said, “You know what? He’s been this way all along. We just didn’t recognize it as the pressure has started to rise. He went on to say, “We can finally begin to see Kenny’s passion come through (today).
Hinkley, preparing to hand the baton over to Josh Carr at the conclusion of this season. This transition has many people wondering how Hinkley’s legacy will be written. Other supporters criticize his style in the more defensive matches. At the same time, others call for them to relax too, claiming, “He’s just joking around,” and failing to recognize that a little levity goes a long way, especially in high-stress workplaces.
