Port Adelaide barometer Sam Powell-Pepper has suffered a suspected ACL injury in Saturday's loss to Brisbane at the Gabba.
The Power, and Ken Hinkley's season, was all but over when they went down by 28 points to the reigning premiers, but were valiant in defeat, losing Esava Ratugolea and Dante Visentini in the first term before Powell-Pepper's third-quarter injury.
The 27-year-old returned only this season after rupturing his right ACL last year against St Kilda, the opposite of the one he injured in 2024.
"Sam obviously looks like an ACL," Hinkley said.
"Clearly, we'll get the scan back over the next couple of days, but that's really, really sad, and when I think about that, it gets a bit sadder for me because it's my last game of coaching Sam, and he's been such a great player for me."
The outgoing coach was more concerned about the future of the Alberton club, and was visibly moved as it dawned upon Hinkley that he wouldn't coach Powell-Pepper again.
"It's really difficult when you have someone that you really care about (and) see that happen to them for the second time," Hinkley said.
"For all those people that think (the players) get paid too much, or they don't work hard enough, have a look at that boy tonight and have a look at how he feels.
"He's had a great week, he's had a new baby โฆ and he has to deal with that.
"But in typical 'Pep' fashion, he'll deal with it. He'll have a couple of days where it'll be pretty tough, and he'll be back.
"I look forward to watching his first game back."
The Round 17 loss was likely the final nail in the coffin for Hinkley and his charges, and despite not finishing on a fairytale, he is happy to hand the reins over to Josh Carr with a "smile".
"Unfortunately, we're not in the eight this year, but going forward, we're a side that's got a bright future," Hinkley said.
"With a bit of opportunity and freedom to encourage our players to enjoy playing footy.
"I look forward to them having a really strong seven weeks of football and knocking a few teams off โ that's what I'd like to do."
