Latest news with #Hinkley
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Yeah, that's us': Ken hopes Port getting on a roll
Buoyed by a sharper energy at training, Port Adelaide feel like they are ready to launch. The Power (6-7) have a massive home game against Sydney this Saturday as their AFL season continues to sit on a knife's edge. They have won their last two games, but are two games outside eighth spot and a woeful percentage means that gap is effectively three matches. Over the last few years, when Port have made finals it has come on the back of late-season runs. In 2024, they won eight of their last nine in the regular season before reaching a preliminary final. Coach Ken Hinkley is seeing signs that something good is brewing again at Alberton. "You get some certain things in your game that you go 'yeah, that's us'. Then we play like that, we're a really hard team to beat," he said on Wednesday. "Our players have a little bit of that in them at the moment. "We have to make everything happen in the right way, as we possibly can, from here on in. But we have a bit more confidence. "When you have confidence in your group, you can actually be hard to stop. We have had a history of being able to get on a few runs and we desperately need to get on one." Out of their mid-season bye, Port have beaten GWS and Melbourne. Hinkley said the break had been a circuit breaker and paid credit to their senior players for never giving up belief. Crucially, Hinkley has noticed a better energy at training. "At that point of the year (the bye), things can drop pretty quickly or they can bounce for us," he said. "Luckily enough, our group have decided, you know what? We're still in this and we want to have a real crack at it." Hinkley expects star onballer Jason Horne-Francis to play against the Swans after he hurt his shoulder in the Melbourne win. "He's a really competitive player, clearly, and he probably needs his arms and shoulders to be working pretty well," Hinkley said. "So we're hopeful he'll play this week." But Sydney are set to regain Errol Gulden and Tom Papley from injury and Hinkley said they would "significantly" change the Swans. "We saw last week when Jase came back into our side, you get your top end ... injuries are really, really important to team success," Hinkley said. At the end of his weekly media conference, Hinkley was asked about Power board member Warren Tredrea and his statements in a document submitted to the Federal Court. The ex-Power captain claimed only gold or silver coins could pay his debt to former employer the Nine Network. "Clearly my job is to coach. It's a personal matter and it's not one I want to buy into, in any way, shape or form," Hinkley said. Buoyed by a sharper energy at training, Port Adelaide feel like they are ready to launch. The Power (6-7) have a massive home game against Sydney this Saturday as their AFL season continues to sit on a knife's edge. They have won their last two games, but are two games outside eighth spot and a woeful percentage means that gap is effectively three matches. Over the last few years, when Port have made finals it has come on the back of late-season runs. In 2024, they won eight of their last nine in the regular season before reaching a preliminary final. Coach Ken Hinkley is seeing signs that something good is brewing again at Alberton. "You get some certain things in your game that you go 'yeah, that's us'. Then we play like that, we're a really hard team to beat," he said on Wednesday. "Our players have a little bit of that in them at the moment. "We have to make everything happen in the right way, as we possibly can, from here on in. But we have a bit more confidence. "When you have confidence in your group, you can actually be hard to stop. We have had a history of being able to get on a few runs and we desperately need to get on one." Out of their mid-season bye, Port have beaten GWS and Melbourne. Hinkley said the break had been a circuit breaker and paid credit to their senior players for never giving up belief. Crucially, Hinkley has noticed a better energy at training. "At that point of the year (the bye), things can drop pretty quickly or they can bounce for us," he said. "Luckily enough, our group have decided, you know what? We're still in this and we want to have a real crack at it." Hinkley expects star onballer Jason Horne-Francis to play against the Swans after he hurt his shoulder in the Melbourne win. "He's a really competitive player, clearly, and he probably needs his arms and shoulders to be working pretty well," Hinkley said. "So we're hopeful he'll play this week." But Sydney are set to regain Errol Gulden and Tom Papley from injury and Hinkley said they would "significantly" change the Swans. "We saw last week when Jase came back into our side, you get your top end ... injuries are really, really important to team success," Hinkley said. At the end of his weekly media conference, Hinkley was asked about Power board member Warren Tredrea and his statements in a document submitted to the Federal Court. The ex-Power captain claimed only gold or silver coins could pay his debt to former employer the Nine Network. "Clearly my job is to coach. It's a personal matter and it's not one I want to buy into, in any way, shape or form," Hinkley said. Buoyed by a sharper energy at training, Port Adelaide feel like they are ready to launch. The Power (6-7) have a massive home game against Sydney this Saturday as their AFL season continues to sit on a knife's edge. They have won their last two games, but are two games outside eighth spot and a woeful percentage means that gap is effectively three matches. Over the last few years, when Port have made finals it has come on the back of late-season runs. In 2024, they won eight of their last nine in the regular season before reaching a preliminary final. Coach Ken Hinkley is seeing signs that something good is brewing again at Alberton. "You get some certain things in your game that you go 'yeah, that's us'. Then we play like that, we're a really hard team to beat," he said on Wednesday. "Our players have a little bit of that in them at the moment. "We have to make everything happen in the right way, as we possibly can, from here on in. But we have a bit more confidence. "When you have confidence in your group, you can actually be hard to stop. We have had a history of being able to get on a few runs and we desperately need to get on one." Out of their mid-season bye, Port have beaten GWS and Melbourne. Hinkley said the break had been a circuit breaker and paid credit to their senior players for never giving up belief. Crucially, Hinkley has noticed a better energy at training. "At that point of the year (the bye), things can drop pretty quickly or they can bounce for us," he said. "Luckily enough, our group have decided, you know what? We're still in this and we want to have a real crack at it." Hinkley expects star onballer Jason Horne-Francis to play against the Swans after he hurt his shoulder in the Melbourne win. "He's a really competitive player, clearly, and he probably needs his arms and shoulders to be working pretty well," Hinkley said. "So we're hopeful he'll play this week." But Sydney are set to regain Errol Gulden and Tom Papley from injury and Hinkley said they would "significantly" change the Swans. "We saw last week when Jase came back into our side, you get your top end ... injuries are really, really important to team success," Hinkley said. At the end of his weekly media conference, Hinkley was asked about Power board member Warren Tredrea and his statements in a document submitted to the Federal Court. The ex-Power captain claimed only gold or silver coins could pay his debt to former employer the Nine Network. "Clearly my job is to coach. It's a personal matter and it's not one I want to buy into, in any way, shape or form," Hinkley said.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
'Yeah, that's us': Ken hopes Port getting on a roll
Buoyed by a sharper energy at training, Port Adelaide feel like they are ready to launch. The Power (6-7) have a massive home game against Sydney this Saturday as their AFL season continues to sit on a knife's edge. They have won their last two games, but are two games outside eighth spot and a woeful percentage means that gap is effectively three matches. Over the last few years, when Port have made finals it has come on the back of late-season runs. In 2024, they won eight of their last nine in the regular season before reaching a preliminary final. Coach Ken Hinkley is seeing signs that something good is brewing again at Alberton. "You get some certain things in your game that you go 'yeah, that's us'. Then we play like that, we're a really hard team to beat," he said on Wednesday. "Our players have a little bit of that in them at the moment. "We have to make everything happen in the right way, as we possibly can, from here on in. But we have a bit more confidence. "When you have confidence in your group, you can actually be hard to stop. We have had a history of being able to get on a few runs and we desperately need to get on one." Out of their mid-season bye, Port have beaten GWS and Melbourne. Hinkley said the break had been a circuit breaker and paid credit to their senior players for never giving up belief. Crucially, Hinkley has noticed a better energy at training. "At that point of the year (the bye), things can drop pretty quickly or they can bounce for us," he said. "Luckily enough, our group have decided, you know what? We're still in this and we want to have a real crack at it." Hinkley expects star onballer Jason Horne-Francis to play against the Swans after he hurt his shoulder in the Melbourne win. "He's a really competitive player, clearly, and he probably needs his arms and shoulders to be working pretty well," Hinkley said. "So we're hopeful he'll play this week." But Sydney are set to regain Errol Gulden and Tom Papley from injury and Hinkley said they would "significantly" change the Swans. "We saw last week when Jase came back into our side, you get your top end ... injuries are really, really important to team success," Hinkley said. At the end of his weekly media conference, Hinkley was asked about Power board member Warren Tredrea and his statements in a document submitted to the Federal Court. The ex-Power captain claimed only gold or silver coins could pay his debt to former employer the Nine Network. "Clearly my job is to coach. It's a personal matter and it's not one I want to buy into, in any way, shape or form," Hinkley said.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Port's odd way to win leaves coach satisfied
For Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley, this win was different. Usually when the Power triumph, they're led to victory by a vaunted midfield. But their 25-point home win against Melbourne on Sunday was powered by two key position players. Forward Mitch Georgiades kicked 7.4 and key defender Esava Ratugolea took 13 marks - career-best returns for both. "It's not typically we talk about bookends of the ground, a full forward and a full back, being as dominant as they were," Hinkley said after Port's 14.9 (93) to 9.14 (68) win. "We have typically survived around the midfield group - everyone talks around them." Port's on-ball brigade was still good: Skipper Connor Rozee, in defence and spurts in the midfield, collected a match-high 32 disposals; Jason Horne-Francis had 29 touches; vice-captain Zak Butters gathered 27. But it was Georgiades, who demolished dual All Australian backman Steven May, and Ratugolea who were the difference. "Mitch kicked 7.4 and might not have been best on ground," Hinkley said, "It was really pleasing for Esava, particularly, to play that way. "He has played a really strong year. You can see him grow with confidence. "And then for Mitch to do what he did on a high quality opponent ... that's a big number in the AFL; 7.4 is a really big number now. "It was a different way for us to win when we were strong at both ends of the ground." Hinkley described Ratugolea, who arrived at Port at the end of 2023 after six years at Geelong, as "a little bit of a doubter". "He's the bloke who wants to do everything right by the team, he's such a carer," Hinkley said. "You can see when he occasionally makes a mistake, that he feels that a bit too much - he's just got to let them go. "He's learning to do that much better. So I was just really pleased for him to be that dominant." For Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley, this win was different. Usually when the Power triumph, they're led to victory by a vaunted midfield. But their 25-point home win against Melbourne on Sunday was powered by two key position players. Forward Mitch Georgiades kicked 7.4 and key defender Esava Ratugolea took 13 marks - career-best returns for both. "It's not typically we talk about bookends of the ground, a full forward and a full back, being as dominant as they were," Hinkley said after Port's 14.9 (93) to 9.14 (68) win. "We have typically survived around the midfield group - everyone talks around them." Port's on-ball brigade was still good: Skipper Connor Rozee, in defence and spurts in the midfield, collected a match-high 32 disposals; Jason Horne-Francis had 29 touches; vice-captain Zak Butters gathered 27. But it was Georgiades, who demolished dual All Australian backman Steven May, and Ratugolea who were the difference. "Mitch kicked 7.4 and might not have been best on ground," Hinkley said, "It was really pleasing for Esava, particularly, to play that way. "He has played a really strong year. You can see him grow with confidence. "And then for Mitch to do what he did on a high quality opponent ... that's a big number in the AFL; 7.4 is a really big number now. "It was a different way for us to win when we were strong at both ends of the ground." Hinkley described Ratugolea, who arrived at Port at the end of 2023 after six years at Geelong, as "a little bit of a doubter". "He's the bloke who wants to do everything right by the team, he's such a carer," Hinkley said. "You can see when he occasionally makes a mistake, that he feels that a bit too much - he's just got to let them go. "He's learning to do that much better. So I was just really pleased for him to be that dominant." For Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley, this win was different. Usually when the Power triumph, they're led to victory by a vaunted midfield. But their 25-point home win against Melbourne on Sunday was powered by two key position players. Forward Mitch Georgiades kicked 7.4 and key defender Esava Ratugolea took 13 marks - career-best returns for both. "It's not typically we talk about bookends of the ground, a full forward and a full back, being as dominant as they were," Hinkley said after Port's 14.9 (93) to 9.14 (68) win. "We have typically survived around the midfield group - everyone talks around them." Port's on-ball brigade was still good: Skipper Connor Rozee, in defence and spurts in the midfield, collected a match-high 32 disposals; Jason Horne-Francis had 29 touches; vice-captain Zak Butters gathered 27. But it was Georgiades, who demolished dual All Australian backman Steven May, and Ratugolea who were the difference. "Mitch kicked 7.4 and might not have been best on ground," Hinkley said, "It was really pleasing for Esava, particularly, to play that way. "He has played a really strong year. You can see him grow with confidence. "And then for Mitch to do what he did on a high quality opponent ... that's a big number in the AFL; 7.4 is a really big number now. "It was a different way for us to win when we were strong at both ends of the ground." Hinkley described Ratugolea, who arrived at Port at the end of 2023 after six years at Geelong, as "a little bit of a doubter". "He's the bloke who wants to do everything right by the team, he's such a carer," Hinkley said. "You can see when he occasionally makes a mistake, that he feels that a bit too much - he's just got to let them go. "He's learning to do that much better. So I was just really pleased for him to be that dominant."
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Port's odd way to win leaves coach satisfied
For Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley, this win was different. Usually when the Power triumph, they're led to victory by a vaunted midfield. But their 25-point home win against Melbourne on Sunday was powered by two key position players. Forward Mitch Georgiades kicked 7.4 and key defender Esava Ratugolea took 13 marks - career-best returns for both. "It's not typically we talk about bookends of the ground, a full forward and a full back, being as dominant as they were," Hinkley said after Port's 14.9 (93) to 9.14 (68) win. "We have typically survived around the midfield group - everyone talks around them." Port's on-ball brigade was still good: Skipper Connor Rozee, in defence and spurts in the midfield, collected a match-high 32 disposals; Jason Horne-Francis had 29 touches; vice-captain Zak Butters gathered 27. But it was Georgiades, who demolished dual All Australian backman Steven May, and Ratugolea who were the difference. "Mitch kicked 7.4 and might not have been best on ground," Hinkley said, "It was really pleasing for Esava, particularly, to play that way. "He has played a really strong year. You can see him grow with confidence. "And then for Mitch to do what he did on a high quality opponent ... that's a big number in the AFL; 7.4 is a really big number now. "It was a different way for us to win when we were strong at both ends of the ground." Hinkley described Ratugolea, who arrived at Port at the end of 2023 after six years at Geelong, as "a little bit of a doubter". "He's the bloke who wants to do everything right by the team, he's such a carer," Hinkley said. "You can see when he occasionally makes a mistake, that he feels that a bit too much - he's just got to let them go. "He's learning to do that much better. So I was just really pleased for him to be that dominant."
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Port Adelaide shake off sickness ahead of Dees clash
Port Adelaide are confident they have shaken off a flu that hit players and coach Ken Hinkley in time to fire in their crunch clash with Melbourne. Hinkley was isolated from the rest of his coaching staff early in the week but has recovered. Port ruled veteran Travis Boak out of Sunday's match at Adelaide Oval with illness but key defender Aliir Aliir, who was also sick, has been cleared to play. "I only missed out of precaution," Hinkley said. "We learned some good stuff out of COVID. We learned that when there's illness around you, you isolate, and it actually helps protect other people. "There's been two or three (players) that have been, again, a bit similar to myself. We've been cautious with people and not allowing them to get other people unwell if we can avoid that. "At this stage, everyone that's available that's been picked will certainly take the field tomorrow." The Power have regained Jason Horne-Francis from a hamstring injury while Melbourne's Jack Viney returns from concussion. Mid-season recruit Mani Liddy - a former air conditioning mechanic who wears a distinctive leg sleeve to protect scarring from a nasty injury last year - will debut. Jordon Sweet has been recalled to team up with Dante Visentini against brilliant Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn. "We are coming up against the best ruck in the competition for the past 10 years," Hinkley said of Gawn. "We accept it is a big challenge for our rucks. Our forwards have not been able to do enough or as much as they need to do. "So when you come up against the quality of Max Gawn we acknowledge that and we put another ruck in and see whether that can help us and get another different-looking target in the forward line at times. "We certainly won't concede to Max, but we know that to limit him is going to be influential in the outcome of the game." Hinkley is refusing to buy into the importance of the clash, the first of three consecutive home games. Port (5-7) host Melbourne, Sydney and Carlton in coming weeks. "Don't take anything for granted," Hinkley said. "This game smacked me in the face enough to know that any time you try and take anything that looks maybe a little bit more positive than the other (it will hurt you). "Going to Canberra last week, playing in Saturday night, cold conditions ... it wasn't a great outlook, but we went there and won. "And that's what we've got to do tomorrow. We've got to turn up tomorrow at Adelaide Oval with our fans here and make sure we win." Port Adelaide are confident they have shaken off a flu that hit players and coach Ken Hinkley in time to fire in their crunch clash with Melbourne. Hinkley was isolated from the rest of his coaching staff early in the week but has recovered. Port ruled veteran Travis Boak out of Sunday's match at Adelaide Oval with illness but key defender Aliir Aliir, who was also sick, has been cleared to play. "I only missed out of precaution," Hinkley said. "We learned some good stuff out of COVID. We learned that when there's illness around you, you isolate, and it actually helps protect other people. "There's been two or three (players) that have been, again, a bit similar to myself. We've been cautious with people and not allowing them to get other people unwell if we can avoid that. "At this stage, everyone that's available that's been picked will certainly take the field tomorrow." The Power have regained Jason Horne-Francis from a hamstring injury while Melbourne's Jack Viney returns from concussion. Mid-season recruit Mani Liddy - a former air conditioning mechanic who wears a distinctive leg sleeve to protect scarring from a nasty injury last year - will debut. Jordon Sweet has been recalled to team up with Dante Visentini against brilliant Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn. "We are coming up against the best ruck in the competition for the past 10 years," Hinkley said of Gawn. "We accept it is a big challenge for our rucks. Our forwards have not been able to do enough or as much as they need to do. "So when you come up against the quality of Max Gawn we acknowledge that and we put another ruck in and see whether that can help us and get another different-looking target in the forward line at times. "We certainly won't concede to Max, but we know that to limit him is going to be influential in the outcome of the game." Hinkley is refusing to buy into the importance of the clash, the first of three consecutive home games. Port (5-7) host Melbourne, Sydney and Carlton in coming weeks. "Don't take anything for granted," Hinkley said. "This game smacked me in the face enough to know that any time you try and take anything that looks maybe a little bit more positive than the other (it will hurt you). "Going to Canberra last week, playing in Saturday night, cold conditions ... it wasn't a great outlook, but we went there and won. "And that's what we've got to do tomorrow. We've got to turn up tomorrow at Adelaide Oval with our fans here and make sure we win." Port Adelaide are confident they have shaken off a flu that hit players and coach Ken Hinkley in time to fire in their crunch clash with Melbourne. Hinkley was isolated from the rest of his coaching staff early in the week but has recovered. Port ruled veteran Travis Boak out of Sunday's match at Adelaide Oval with illness but key defender Aliir Aliir, who was also sick, has been cleared to play. "I only missed out of precaution," Hinkley said. "We learned some good stuff out of COVID. We learned that when there's illness around you, you isolate, and it actually helps protect other people. "There's been two or three (players) that have been, again, a bit similar to myself. We've been cautious with people and not allowing them to get other people unwell if we can avoid that. "At this stage, everyone that's available that's been picked will certainly take the field tomorrow." The Power have regained Jason Horne-Francis from a hamstring injury while Melbourne's Jack Viney returns from concussion. Mid-season recruit Mani Liddy - a former air conditioning mechanic who wears a distinctive leg sleeve to protect scarring from a nasty injury last year - will debut. Jordon Sweet has been recalled to team up with Dante Visentini against brilliant Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn. "We are coming up against the best ruck in the competition for the past 10 years," Hinkley said of Gawn. "We accept it is a big challenge for our rucks. Our forwards have not been able to do enough or as much as they need to do. "So when you come up against the quality of Max Gawn we acknowledge that and we put another ruck in and see whether that can help us and get another different-looking target in the forward line at times. "We certainly won't concede to Max, but we know that to limit him is going to be influential in the outcome of the game." Hinkley is refusing to buy into the importance of the clash, the first of three consecutive home games. Port (5-7) host Melbourne, Sydney and Carlton in coming weeks. "Don't take anything for granted," Hinkley said. "This game smacked me in the face enough to know that any time you try and take anything that looks maybe a little bit more positive than the other (it will hurt you). "Going to Canberra last week, playing in Saturday night, cold conditions ... it wasn't a great outlook, but we went there and won. "And that's what we've got to do tomorrow. We've got to turn up tomorrow at Adelaide Oval with our fans here and make sure we win."
