The future of Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley still remains up in the air, as Gold Coast are reportedly still confident Hinkley will be the club's coach next season.
Despite having a year to run on his deal at the Power, rumours have continued to grow since their elimination final loss to West Coast last week, that Hinkley would walk out on Port Adelaide and take up the opportunity to lead the Suns.
SEN reporter Sam McClure believes it's been a big weekend in the tug of war for Hinkley, with a potential coaching candidate pulling out of the race, believing the position was Hinkley's to lose.
“The Gold Coast Suns remain quietly confident that Ken Hinkley will be their coach in 2018 after a very eventful weekend in Adelaide,” McClure told SEN Breakfast on Monday morning.
“Stuart Dew, interestingly enough, was due to have an interview for the Gold Coast job on Saturday, but contacted Mark Evans the day before and pulled out. We understand Dew believes Hinkley will get the job.
“Hinkley had several meetings on Friday with Port Adelaide CEO Keith Thomas. I can also tell you he had a one-on-one meeting with captain Travis Boak. We understand Chairman David Koch travelled from Sydney to meet with Hinkley as well.
“No official offer has been made to Ken Hinkley in writing, but the job is his if he wants it. We believe he has been told by his manager Peter Blucher, that there would be a long term deal on offer.”
The Power have remained firm during this entire saga, and said in a statement last week that Hinkley is "not on the market."
A source inside Port Adelaide have told AFL.com.au that Hinkley arrived on Monday morning as usual, and was going about his daily business.
Since joining Port Adelaide for the start of the 2013 season, Hinkley has taken the Power to three finals series' in five years, leading his side to a preliminary final in 2014.
Hinkley has won 65 of his 115 games, and has a 56.5% winning record as coach.
