Caroline Wilson has called for Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley to put a stop to the “emotional rollercoaster” that has unfairly represented the club in 2024.
It comes after Hinkley choked back tears after his side’s two-point victory over St Kilda on Sunday at Marvel Stadium.
The coach has been under fire after his side’s 79-point drubbing at the hands of Brisbane in round 15.
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Hinkley was booed when he was flashed up on the big screen at Adelaide Oval in last week’s loss, then again when he briefly appeared on the ground as he walked through to the changerooms at the end of the match.
On top of that, during the week, signs were placed outside the Power’s training hub that read “sack Hinkley”.
Hinkley’s emotional reaction after the Saints victory is something that Wilson wants to see less of, calling for the Power coach to “simmer down” and refocus his playing group into qualifying for finals.
“I don’t think that is sustainable. I think that Ken needs to get on an even keel,” Wilson said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night.
“I’m an admirer of Ken Hinkley, but what we saw on the weekend, was too much, for a two-point win over St Kilda.
“Get in, get out, go home.”
Wilson noted that Hinkley’s emotional act post-match proves that he wants to keep his job, with concerns that he could be axed at season’s end, even with a year to run on his contract.
“I’m telling you, you can’t keep that emotional rollercoaster going for the rest of the season,” she said.
“He’s just declared he wants the job. He’s got a bloke on the board who doesn’t want him (Warren Tredrea), and he knows it. The club is divided.
“Ken knows it, the players know it.
“His job now, is to simmer down and be the calm, cool Ken Hinkley that these players need to finish the season in the finals.”
But while Wilson believes Hinkley’s reaction is all part of the natural pressure building at Alberton, she is adamant that the expectation on his players to defend their coach at all times, is becoming draining.
Hinkley was strongly backed during the week by star midfielder Zak Butters, while skipper Connor Rozee had high praise for him after Sunday’s victory.
“I think those over-celebrations are symptomatic of the pressure he is under and what he is going through,” she said.
“It’s not sustainable, not for the players. They need something calmer, and I hope that we see that for the rest of the season.”
The Power jumped back into the top eight after their win over the Saints, now sitting in seventh with a 9-6 record.