YARTAPUULTI coach Ken Hinkley has dismissed inevitable questions about an early handover to Josh Carr as he plots a response to his latest embarrassing defeat.
A 76-point drubbing from Geelong last Saturday was the eighth-heaviest loss of Hinkley’s 13-year tenure at Alberton Oval.
Hinkley, who has coached more AFL games than anyone without reaching a Grand Final, set his sights on a farewell flag when his succession plan with Carr was announced in February.
But the knives are out early, with the Power on a three-match losing streak ahead of a tricky interstate assignment against Walyalup at Optus Stadium this Saturday night.
“I did say three weeks ago the succession plan questions will come back up soon, didn’t I? That’s what I said,” Hinkley laughed on Wednesday when quizzed on his immediate coaching future.
“Rightly so. Your (the media’s) job is to look at what’s going on from the outside, my job is to be really focused and narrow on the inside.
“Our coaching group is the same.
Hinkley opted for an “optimistic view” when asked if there could be a shift in his thinking if there are more blowout defeats this season.
“We don’t expect them to continue. The challenge is that, and we’ve got to wait until our results deliver,” Hinkley said.
“Clearly with bad losses continued questions come. As long as you don’t get distracted, that’s what I would say.
There are other possible distractions for Hinkley as he continues to be linked with expansion club Tasmania.
Ken Hinkley addresses his players during Yartapuulti’s clash against Geelong in round 10, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
The Devils, who have a licence to enter the AFL in 2028 and plan to enter a team in the VFL next season, are yet to appoint a coach and head of football.
“I’ve been really, really clear and really careful with that,” Hinkley said.
“My focus is solely on Port Adelaide and clearly I understand that there will be some discussion around people and names, and mine might be one of them at some point.
Hinkley said the Power’s 4-6 start is “not a disaster” ahead of the clash with fellow finals aspirant Walyalup (5-5), which is “not that dissimilar in some ways to ourselves”.
The Power will make at least three changes, with Jason Horne-Francis, Lachie Jones (both hamstring) and Josh Sinn (hip) out injured.
Veteran midfielder Travis Boak and key defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher are among those with claims to be recalled.
