Ken Hinkley, the longtime head coach of the Port Adelaide Football Club, gave his last presser on [date]. He made a mark on fans and journalists of the game as well. After 30 years in the coaching chair, Hinkley entered a productive era at Port Adelaide from October 2012. In his farewell message to the club, he spoke candidly about his love for the organization and the difficulty he experienced in making the decision to leave.
Tearful Hinkley’s final address featured some moving words, expressing just how much he loved coaching the Kangaroos. “I’m in love with the Port Adelaide footy club … that’s not easy to walk away from,” he stated, acknowledging the difficulty of leaving a place where he has invested so much of himself. He began his time at Port at a very challenging period for the club. With his leadership, they evolved into a more disciplined and formidable squad in Australian Rules Football.
In a light-hearted moment during the press conference, Hinkley joked, “One last time for s*** and giggles, hey?” His Twinkie-sweet demeanor belied just how much he felt that this journey with the club was the one worth taking. He enjoyed sharing some joyful, spontaneous occasions with the press. He amped up the amusement for journalists in the room with self-deprecating proclamations regarding the grueling responsibilities that come with coaching.
Hinkley confessed he was never going to get a fairytale win at Adelaide Oval. We thought we all lost,” confessed He, “I didn’t think we had any chance. To us, that portrayal seemed very true to life when discussing the pressures and unpredictability that accompany coaching at the highest level. He went on to recognize that wins, as much as they’re celebrated, are outside of a coach’s control.
His legacy, as he reflected during the press conference, might be defined by what could have been, specifically not reaching a grand final. “Right now, how can I think about anything else?” he mused, demonstrating the weight of expectations that lingered throughout his career.
Travis Boak, one of Hinkley’s signature recruits and the player who helped carry Port forward as their captain, accompanied him to the press conference. Boak praised Hinkley’s loyalty to the club and his players. “What people don’t see behind the doors, and how passionate he is about this football club and wanting to be better, wanting to win, wanting to make his players the best people and athletes they possibly can be,” he said. This realization was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to understanding Hinkley’s impact—beyond game strategies.
As they concluded their time at Port Adelaide with a victory, both Hinkley and Boak took a moment to salute the crowd. It took them back to the beginning of their journey together. What was initial admiration quickly turned to something deeper. There was deeper respect and loyalty from fans and teammates, even opponents.
Looking forward, Hinkley said that, after almost 18 years in public service, he and his wife would be enjoying a long delayed vacation. This marks a significant change as he noted, “I will sit down with my wife for the very first time in 13 years and not be a coach.” Moving from the role of coach to civilian life will be a major transition. After thirty years on the sidelines, it’ll no doubt be a big adjustment.
