BARRETT: When Ken's time runs out, Port must call this club great
Port Adelaide's latest form slump has rendered any succession plan irrelevant, and one name must be among the potential candidates, writes Damian Barrett
www.afl.com.auHere’s the latest on Ken Hinkley based on available reporting up to now.
- In 2024–2025, Hinkley faced continued scrutiny over Port Adelaide’s performance and ongoing questions about succession planning, with some outlets noting the club would handle any potential coaching transition with dignity if/when it became necessary.[2][3]
- In mid-2025, he publicly downplayed talk of an early handover, reiterating his focus on Port Adelaide and suggesting discussions about succession would occur only in the context of the team’s performance and long-term plans, not as a distraction to the current season.[2]
- Coverage around that period highlighted external links to expansion discussion (e.g., Tasmania) and internal debates about coaching futures, but Hinkley remained emphatic about staying at Port Adelaide while he’s the coach.[2]
- Broader media at times connected Hinkley’s name to ongoing conversations about staff changes and possible successors, though no definitive public decision had been announced as of the latest reports.[3][9]
If you’d like, I can pull the very latest headline snapshots from a quick search and summarize them, or track any concrete announcements (e.g., contract updates, official club statements) as they emerge.