Departed Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has ventured into the AFL media space after finishing his stint in the Alberton hotseat, joining the Fox Footy broadcast team for 2026. 

Hinkley's 13-year reign as coach of the Power reached its cessation at the end of the recent 2025 season, with the 59-year-old becoming the club's longest-serving coach. 

The former Geelong and Fitzroy defender was appointed coach of Port Adelaide in 2012 following spells as an assistant with St Kilda, Geelong and Gold Coast.

Hinkley coached the Power on 297 occasions, claiming 174 wins - including six finals victories - in his time at the helm. He would also be appointed Coach of the Year by his counterparts on two occasions. 

His immediate move after handing the reins to Josh Carr will see Hinkley take on an expert commentator role within Fox Footy's punditry team for next year. 

Hinkley will be a large part of the broadcaster's South Australian coverage, offering insight and analysis alongside state icons Shaun Burgoyne and Mark Ricciuto. 

"Joining the Fox Footy team is a great opportunity for me to work with some great people in our game and keep me closely connected to the game that I love," Hinkley said in a statement. 

AFL Preliminary Final – Sydney v Port Adelaide
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Ken Hinkley, Senior Coach of the Power looks on during the 2024 AFL First Preliminary Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Port Adelaide Power at The Sydney Cricket Ground on September 20, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

"Hopefully I can give the footy fans some insight into how the modern game is played and coached today.

"I can't wait to get started, particularly at Adelaide Oval with Roo and Shaun — should make Showdowns very exciting from the commentary box. Bring it on."

Fox Footy was home to fellow ex-AFL coaches Leigh Matthews, Nathan Buckley and Adam Simpson in 2025, the latter duo having since taken on roles with Geelong and Carlton respectively. 

Jason Dunstall, Brad Johnson, Jonathan Brown, Matthew Pavlich, Tom Hawkins and Jack Riewoldt are among the range of AFL icons also part of the call team. 

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