Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has 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.
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.
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During the week, signs were placed outside the Power’s training hub, Alberton Oval, that read ‘sack Hinkley’.
The win, which puts the Power just two points off the top four, came at a perfect time for an emotional Hinkley, who has been fighting to keep his job.
“Pretty hard. It’s been a tough week. Great boys, great boys,” Hinkley said on Fox post match, holding back tears.
“I really like the fact that we were under the pump and we just stuck at it. It wasn’t easy, but we got there.
“We’re two points from fourth. It felt like we were on the bottom of the ladder and I get why. I appreciate the fact that we’ve been playing poorly, but we’re doing our best to make it right.”
Hinkley addressed the difficult week, doubling down on the fact that he is keen to see out the remainder of his coaching contract, which sees him at the helm until the end of 2025.
”It’s part of the job, unfortunately,” he said.
“You don’t want it (the hate), but I want the job.”
The coach, who has not led his side to a grand final in his years at the helm, denied any suggestions his players are against him and his game plan.
“No doubt. No doubt (they’re supporting me). They do that regularly for us (win when it gets tough),” Hinkley said.
Hinkley’s powerful words came after his skipper Connor Rozee threw his “full support” behind the coach.
“Our full support is behind Ken. We love him as a coach. He is such a good mentor,” Rozee said post match on Fox.
“As long as he’s at our football club, he’ll have our full support.”
But it’s not all easy from here for Hinkley’s men.
Port Adelaide’s dismal kicking was on display again, booting 8.14 in the hard fought victory.
The Power has defeated the Saints 14 of their last 15 outings.
They jump back into the top eight, now sitting in seventh with a 9-6 record.