Hinkley’s contract for 2023 is guaranteed - there is no get out for the club,according to industry sources. This means Port would face a payout of more than $600,000 if they sacked Hinkley,who has coached the Power for ten seasons and taken them to preliminary finals in 2014,2020 and 2021 without making a grand final.
The uncertainty surrounding Hinkley is another twist to the coaching landscape,in which North Melbourne andGreater Western Sydney have been courting Alastair Clarkson,who has the North job if he wants it and could well be offered the Giants’ position.
Hinkley has not spoken to either GWS or North Melbourne yet,sources have told The Age,with North focusing on Clarkson first and then preparing for a process if he does not take the job. GWS have spoken to a range of candidates including Richmond assistant Adam Kingsley and Melbourne’s Adem Yze,while Carlton senior assistant Ash Hansen withdrew from the process.
Koch said that something had to change at the club after their worst finish to the season in a decade.
“We’ve got two games … that we’ve got to focus on and try to finish the year on a high and turn it around,and give our supporters and the board and everyone involved in the club … some hope that we have been improving.
“This year will be the worst finish that we have had in the last 10 years and something has got to change,but that’s a whole-of-program decision.”