Port Adelaide is pleased to announce Ken Hinkley has agreed to a two-year contract extension as senior coach until the end of 2025.
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch said the club is delighted that Hinkley will be continuing as senior coach for the next two seasons.
“The Board and management of the Port Adelaide Football Club are totally aligned in our view that Ken Hinkley is the best person to coach this playing group moving forward,” Mr Koch said.
“Following a thorough process and recommendation by the Football Strategic Committee, the Port Adelaide board unanimously endorsed Ken’s extension.
“At the start of the season we provided Ken and the program with the space and time to coach and perform without distraction. We’ve seen strong progression and development of our playing group and the program has continued to evolve and improve.
“Our team last Sunday was the third youngest of any AFL team this round. We have great confidence in what this playing group can achieve, this year and into the future, with Ken at the helm.
“We believe confirming Ken’s contract extension now provides our football program with confidence and certainty heading into an exciting finals campaign. Our win on Sunday locked away a top four finish providing a strong platform heading into September.
“At Port Adelaide there are high expectations every year and we will always make decisions based on what we believe is going to provide the best opportunity for success.
“Ken has reshaped our playing list a number of times across the last decade and has built a connection with the playing group that is very real and powerful. It is clear our players have bought into Ken’s vision.
“We’re delighted that Ken will be our senior coach until at least the end of 2025.”
Hinkley said the decision for him to extend his contract was straight forward.
“I said it a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve said it many times before, I care deeply for this playing group and football club,” Hinkley said.
“Not for one moment do I take coaching this great football club for granted. It’s a privilege and I thank David and the Board for their ongoing support and belief in our football program.
“I’m also fortunate to have the support of an outstanding coaching group led by assistants Josh Carr, Nathan Bassett, Chad Cornes and our development coaches, and a brilliant high performance program, list management team and football department.
“To have Josh double down on his commitment to the club gives me great confidence. Josh is looking forward to continuing to hone his craft here at Port Adelaide and I know he will be a senior coach one day.
“From a playing group perspective, I’m so excited with what we are building. We have such a committed group of players who are all hungry to create something special here at Port Adelaide. I continue to challenge them to grow and they do the same to me and all our coaches.
“I’m looking forward to coaching this playing group for at least the next two years beyond this season.”
Hinkley, who was first appointed Port Adelaide senior coach in October 2012, has the best winning percentage of anyone who has coached the club in the AFL era. Hinkley, in coaching his 15th win for the season on Sunday, has now led the club to 146 wins from 244 games at a winning percentage of 59.84. Hinkley’s winning percentage ranks fourth amongst all current AFL coaches.
Twice named the AFL Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2020, Hinkley has previously served as an assistant coach at St Kilda, Geelong and Gold Coast.
