Port Adelaide President David Koch has doubled down on not making a call on coach Ken Hinkley’s future until August.
It was revealed last month that Koch, Hinkley, the club board and administration agreed to put contract talks on hold until close to the end of the season.
Koch says that’s been done to ensure there’s no distractions surrounding the side in 2023.
“We discussed it with Ken, we don’t want any distractions whatsoever throughout the year,” Koch told SEN Afternoons.
“We don’t want every discussion, every radio interview and every press conference to be about Ken’s contract so we’ve just taken it completely off the table until August.
“It allows the team, both the coaching staff and the playing group on getting the wins and doing what they do best, which is playing good footy.”
When asked how decision makers would grade Hinkley’s performance this season, Koch was quick to shut down talk stating that the club will be disciplined in not entertaining the topic until August.
“I’ll do that (review Hinkley’s perofrmance) in August,” Koch said..
“Otherwise it’ll just be a topic of conversation for the entire year.
“That’s the disciplined way to do it, that’s the professional way to do it.
“It’s not giving a running commentary on it each week.
“Ask me in August, happy to talk about it then.”
While Koch didn’t reveal how Hinkley would be assessed, he says expectations on how the playing group should perform haven’t changed with finals a minimum this campaign.
“The expectation is to make finals and put ourselves in the best possible position to go deep into September and ultimately win a flag,” Koch said.
“That language has not changed since I took on the job as President of Port Adelaide.
“There should never be a year when we don’t make finals, that’s why you’ll never hear the word rebuild from me.
“I think it’s an excuse for failure and we know our members and supporters have an expectation that we’re competitive and successful every year.
“Success is making finals and we embrace that expectation.”
After finishing 11th in 2022, the Power will be desperate to get their season off on the right foot when they host Brisbane at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon.
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