Port Adelaide will be without senior coach Ken Hinkley for Sunday's clash in Alice Springs against Melbourne on Sunday after entering the AFL's health and safety protocols.
The club confirmed on Friday that the 55-year-old won't be available to lead the Power against the reigning premiers, however he remains in good health despite testing positive to the virus.
Port Adelaide haven't named a caretaker coach for the contest, with assistant coaches Nathan Bassett, Brett Montgomery and Chad Cornes all set to step up their duties.
โFirst and foremost, Ken is feeling fine. He will continue to contribute in the lead up to Sundayโs game and will be connected to the coachesโ box on game-day whilst isolating at home,โ Port football boss Chris Davies said.
โFortunately, weโve planned for various scenarios in recent months, including impacts from Covid on our coaching group.
โForwardsโ coach Nathan Bassett will coordinate messaging across the lines at each break whilst midfield coach Brett Montgomery will remain focussed on instructing the midfield group, who will be critical to the result on Sunday.
โAnd Chad Cornes will continue in his usual role as defensive coach.
โNo other coaches or players have been impacted at this stage, although weโll continue to remain vigilant and closely monitor any symptoms that may present.โ
Hinkley becomes the sixth coach to miss action due to COVID-19 in 2022, following Justin Longmuir, Simon Goodwin, Michael Voss, Brett Ratten and Matthew Nicks all missing matches earlier in the season.
The Power will face the Demons at Traeger Park, Northern Territory, at 3:20pm (AEST) and will depart from Adelaide on Saturday.
