PORT ADELAIDE senior coach Ken Hinkley has highlighted a special moment before his side’s 11-point win over Geelong on Saturday night.
Returning for his first game at AFL level in the best part of a year, Charlie Dixon received a moving ovation from the home crowd as he ran out for his initial warm up.
“There was a moment at the game, before the game started, when Charlie (Dixon) went on the ground to do his first warm up,” Hinkley told SEN SAs Breakfast program.
“It was almost like this embracement of this big warrior that’s back in our team, and we are just all happy to see him, not just the coaches and players, the fans as well.”
The significance of the moment was not lost on Port’s senior coach, who says the connection between the fans, the players and the football staff is really uplifting.
“I think that was significant,” Hinkley said.
“I think that shows a real connection at the moment. We have worked really hard at that this year.
“You know those moments. You know they’re real, they’re not manufactured moments.
“You know the care that’s in this place at the moment. It is amongst the players. It is amongst the fans. It is amongst the staff. It’s really important.”
The 52-year-old also praised the defensive effort of key defender Tom Clurey, who kept Geelong spearhead Tom Hawking to five disposals, zero marks and zero goals.
Hinkley said Clurey’s response after a couple of quiet weeks was really satisfying for a coach.
“I’m a bit emotional when it comes to my players,” he said.
“I love it when they get an opportunity to respond and back it up, particularly when you know they are such good people.
“Tommy (Clurey) is a star of a bloke around the footy club, we all love him.
“He is so honest. He knows that he’s been just going in the last couple of weeks, and he feels that pressure a little bit.
“There’s nothing more satisfying as a coach, when you see a player like that who takes on a big task, in a big game, and really smacks it out of the park. You’re just so proud of him, and just so happy for him.”
Port’s home crowd will get another opportunity to show their boisterous support this weekend, when the Power host the West Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
