Ken’s Confidence in Power Move Amidst Doubts and Risks

‘It took some time’ Ken Hinkley opens up | 15:03

Port Adelaide has cemented its divisive coaching succession plan, and Ken Hinkley has provided his confident reasoning for why it will ultimately prove a fruitful handover — despite pessimism from a former disciple.

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Hinkley, 58, will coach his 13th and final season in 2025 before handing over to current midfield assistant Josh Carr, who has penned a three-year deal that starts in 2026 and runs to 2028.

The veteran mentor has steered the South Australian club to preliminary final weekend in three of the past seasons and owns a career 60.22 winning percentage across 274 games coached.

The club’s decision to hand-over is backed by the premiership successes of the likes of Paul Roos-to-John Longmire and Roos-to-Simon Goodwin, but there is also reason for scepticism, given the initial messiness of Mick Malthouse-to-Nathan Buckley, and the lack of success stemming from John Worsfold-to-Ben Rutten.

One of Hinkley’s previous disciples, 300-gamer Kane Cornes, already ruled his former club out of flag contention this season due to the timing of the call.

“It automatically rules out Port Adelaide for any shot of the premiership this year,” Cornes said in a filmed reaction posted to Instagram.

“Clearly, you’re not changing coach before the start of the season if you think you’re going to win the premiership, so don’t even consider, Port Adelaide fans, that they’re a chance this year.”

Hinkley, asked directly about Cornes’ comments, appeared bemused in reaction before saying: “Opinions are interesting, aren’t they? They’re just that, they are opinions, and you’re allowed to have them.

“They’re uneducated and unqualified at times without all the information … I get on very well with Kane, but there’s no accountability to opinions. I’d love to have some accountability to opinions — like I do, and Josh does, and David (Koch) does — every week.

“Have some accountability to what you say.”

Hinkley and Cornes overlapped for three seasons at Port Adelaide, between 2013-15.

Asked what happens if he coaches the team to the ultimate success this year but has to step down, Hinkley said: “I dream my whole life. It’ll be much, much easier than you would think.

“Imagine getting that with the amount of effort everyone’s put in? It’d ultimately be great. I know how hard it is, though. I’ve done this for a long time. I’m not looking for that guarantee, I’m just looking for an opportunity and a chance.”

Asked if he’ll stick around at Alberton Oval in 2026 — like Longmire at Sydney — Hinkley said: “It’s not something I’m even thinking about because I’m so passionate about this year and about the football.

“I’m not even thinking about 2026 … I’ve got no idea what’s next. I’m not in a hurry to worry about that. I’ve got great energy; that’s not an issue.”

On the timing of the decision, Hinkley was adamant it wouldn’t affect the club’s process.

“What I do like about the clarity of this one for us as a footy club is the time now allow us great preparation time. It doesn’t jeopardise our program,” the 58-year-old said.

“For all those who think it might jeopardise our program, we have too good a program with great people that would have any damage done to this program this year by this handover.

“All it will do is only reinforce our commitment.”

Hinkley will hand-over to Carr at the end of this upcoming season. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Hinkley, who believes Port Adelaide’s succession plan will work despite others having not, said: “I didn’t live there, so I don’t know their (circumstances). All I know is ours, and I know ours will work.”

And on why Carr is the ideal replacement: “I’ll give you my real, honest views: He’s done it the right way,” Hinkley said.

“I took over (Port Adelaide) when I was 46. I’d coached for 15 years, I’d coached my own team, I’d coached other teams, I’d been to other environments, I’d seen good programs — and you need to do it the right way.

“For me, that’s why I was really confident that Josh needed to get an opportunity, because he’s done it absolutely the right way.

“He’s coached premiership teams, he’s been to other clubs, he’s mad passionate about Port Adelaide for a start — that also helps — and he knows how we work. He values what I value.

“He’s perfect.”