Although disappointed not to make the trip to Alice Springs, Ken Hinkley says his assistant coaches are well-prepared to take on extra responsibility this weekend. Image: AFL Photos.

PORT ADELAIDE senior coach Ken Hinkley admits he will find it hard not being in Alice Springs with his team for Sunday’s game against Melbourne, but says he has full faith in his assistant coaches to cover his absence.

Hinkley fell under the AFL’s health and safety protocols on Thursday and is isolating at home, unable to make the trip.

It will be just the second time he has been unable to be with the side for a game. The first came in 2013 when a viral infection prevented him taking charge against North Melbourne in Hobart and then director of coaching and strategy Alan Richardson stepped in.

“It’s not a major setback because basically the planning and the coaching has all been done throughout the week,” Hinkley said on Melbourne radio station 3AW.

“Unfortunately, I just won’t be there on game day but the reality is that I’ll still be well and truly in tune with what’s going on.

“I’ve got great assistants who can take over and do the job.”

Port prepared for irregular set-up in the coaches box

Hinkley has approval from the AFL to have a live feed of the game from various angles into his home and will be on link-up to communicate with the coaches’ box.

But he will rely on forwards coach Nathan Bassett – an experienced two-time SANFL premiership coach in his own right – to relay messaging to players during breaks in the game, with support from midfield coach Brett Montgomery and backline coach Chad Cornes.

“It doesn’t feel that different (yet),” Hinkley said. “The meeting (on Saturday night) will be in the hotel, which I’ll be tuned into, I won’t be there in person.

“I think it’ll be a struggle to stay too composed because I’m not there.

“I’m a big believer that you feel the game and when you’re there you get a different feel than through the screen.

“That’ll be a challenge but I can’t be more comfortable with the people we’ve got running and doing their jobs in the coaching box, and for the players that we’ll be ok.”

Although he won't be able to be there in person, Ken Hinkley will be fully dialled into the match via his home. Image: AFL Photos.

Port Adelaide has lost its last two meetings against Melbourne including the Round 4 game against the reigning premier at Adelaide Oval when an injury-depleted outfit went down by 32 points.

But in Alice Springs, the Power has beaten the Demons in each of the three clashes between the sides at Traeger Park.

Hinkley said his side was well prepared to counter a quality opponent.

“You get plenty of (scoring) opportunities against Melbourne. Last time we played them they took a lot of marks and they frustrate you at times because they’re so well set up behind the ball with May and Lever, and Gawn,” the coach explained.

“Gawn was outstanding the last time we played them. He was by far the best player on the ground… but we learnt a lot about what we need to do.

“We’ve had some recent games where they’ve gotten the better of us but we’ve had some really good games where we match up pretty well.

“The game we played in Round 4, there was a five minute patch in the second quarter where they put five goals on us and that was the margin of the game. It was a pretty dour game – not the type of game you want to get into against Melbourne if you can avoid it – but you’ve got to make sure you put them under some offensive pressure when you get the chance.”

Sunday’s game gets underway at 2:50pm.