Port Adelaide have confirmed senior coach Ken Hinkley has re-signed with the Power until the end of the 2025 season - cementing a two-year extension.
Hinkley's deal was due to expire at the conclusion of this season, with the Port Adelaide coach and the club noting year-long that an announcement on any move for the future wouldn't come until August.
On Tuesday, the Power confirmed Hinkley has signed on for two more years, seeing his reign at Alberton Oval extended into seasons 12 and 13.
Speaking via a club announcement, Hinkley reaffirmed his passion for the club and expressed his desire to lead the club for the years to come.
“I said it a couple of weeks ago, and I've said it many times before, I care deeply for this playing group and football club,” Hinkley said.
“Not for one moment do I take coaching this great football club for granted. It's a privilege and I thank David (Koch) and the Board for their ongoing support and belief in our football program.
“I'm also fortunate to have the support of an outstanding coaching group led by assistants Josh Carr, Nathan Bassett, Chad Cornes and our development coaches, and a brilliant high performance program, list management team and football department.
“To have Josh double down on his commitment to the club gives me great confidence. Josh is looking forward to continuing to hone his craft here at Port Adelaide and I know he will be a senior coach one day.
“From a playing group perspective, I'm so excited with what we are building. We have such a committed group of players who are all hungry to create something special here at Port Adelaide. I continue to challenge them to grow and they do the same to me and all our coaches.
“I'm looking forward to coaching this playing group for at least the next two years beyond this season.”
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch said the club's figureheads have been "totally aligned" that Hinkley is the man to lead the club beyond the 2023 season.
Koch said the combination of Hinkley's presence and the club's youthful list will take the Power a long way as they pursue a second AFL premiership.
“The Board and management of the Port Adelaide Football Club are totally aligned in our view that Ken Hinkley is the best person to coach this playing group moving forward,” Mr Koch said.
“Following a thorough process and recommendation by the Football Strategic Committee, the Port Adelaide board unanimously endorsed Ken's extension.
“At the start of the season we provided Ken and the program with the space and time to coach and perform without distraction. We've seen strong progression and development of our playing group and the program has continued to evolve and improve.
“Our team last Sunday was the third youngest of any AFL team this round. We have great confidence in what this playing group can achieve, this year and into the future, with Ken at the helm.
“We believe confirming Ken's contract extension now provides our football program with confidence and certainty heading into an exciting finals campaign. Our win on Sunday locked away a top four finish providing a strong platform heading into September.
“At Port Adelaide there are high expectations every year and we will always make decisions based on what we believe is going to provide the best opportunity for success.
“Ken has reshaped our playing list a number of times across the last decade and has built a connection with the playing group that is very real and powerful. It is clear our players have bought into Ken's vision.
“We're delighted that Ken will be our senior coach until at least the end of 2025.”
Hinkley has coached the Power since the beginning of the 2023 season, recording a win-loss record of 146-98 as the club's senior coach.
The Power have won 15 of their 21 matches so far this year, firming as a premiership contender with two rounds remaining in the home and away season.
