In taking on the chief coaching role in an interim capacity, Hocking has set very clear objectives for the Power’s remaining four matches.
“We certainly need to move forward and really focus our group,” said Hocking.
“It’s a great game and I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
“There’s a few broken bits but we’re not in a crisis and there’s certainly a couple of things we need to fix.”
He said that the club has not imposed any win-loss expectations but there is an understanding that Hocking will build a base to kick-start 2013 season under whoever Port Adelaide appoints to lead the club next year.
“There will be guidelines, benchmarks for those sorts of things we’re looking for in the game and that’s what players in the next four weeks will be judged on," said Hocking.
“Four weeks isn’t enough to actually try and change too much, I’ll continually push the fact that we need to be positive with the group.
Hocking identified the need to build resolve in the playing group as critical to his time in the interim role.
“Through this you learn to have some resolve and that’s exactly what’s probably been missing over the last few weeks.
“That they’ve lost that little bit of resolve in the way they play and it’s an opportunity for me to instil that as quick as I can.”
Replacing Hocking as the Power’s forwards coach will be football development manager Daniel Healy, who has worked with the forwards throughout the season.
“What we’ve been able to set up is that each of the lines has had a development coach connected to that so Daniel Healy has been working with me,” explained Hocking.
“Most of the clubs in the AFL are now doing that so it’s an opportunity for him to step up.
“He’s been taking line meetings, he’s able to hit the ground running … it’s a real plus for us.”
Having coached in his own right for several years at the Geelong Falcons before joining the Power in 2010, Hocking was quizzed on whether he would bring significant changes to the Primus game plan.
With his own simple philosophy to football, Hocking said he preaches a tough, hard and committed approach but his message to supporters on what to expect for the next four weeks was straightforward.
“Going forward over the next month we’ll push some non-negotiables in the playing group - head over the footy, effort, passion, respect for one another and respect from the game,” said Hocking.
“But four weeks is not enough to change the wheel.”
“But four weeks is not enough to change the wheel.”
