Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies says he’s given a glowing recommendation of Ken Hinkley to the Power hierarchy, confirming a call either way will be made before the end of August.
Hinkley and the Power have defied expectations in 2023 to surge back up the ladder in the final year of Hinkley's contract.
Earlier this year, the club publicly put off contract discussions until August. But with the eighth month of the year now upon us, the conversation of Hinkley’s future has resumed.
Speaking to SEN’s Dwayne’s World, Davies confirmed that he and the club want a decision before the end of the month.
“Both he and David Koch have been suggesting August is the time… so I’d imagine a decision will be made in the coming weeks in that regard… it’s time for some decisions to be made,” he began.
Davies added: “I think you can say August will be when the club and Ken make a decision on both of their futures.”
Between Round 4 and Round 17, Port Adelaide went on a club record 13-game win streak to all but sure up a top four spot.
Hinkley hasn’t won a premiership in his 11 years at the helm of the Power, nor has he taken the club to a Grand Final.
Davies has been Hinkley’s right-hand man for nine seasons and offered an insight into the way Port has changed in 2023.
“I‘ve definitely got a role to play in terms of my recommendation… the board is the one that hires or fires… I’m hopeful the club will be hopeful will listen to whatever recommendation I make into the future and I'm sure it’ll be tidied up in the next few weeks,” Davies continued.
“I’m really clear that I think Ken has done a really good job this year. We’ve been off the boil the last couple of weeks, but in terms of my view of Ken, I think he’s coaching as well as I’ve seen him in my time at the club.
“He’s certainly got a new perspective on the game sitting on the bench as you can imagine… I think he’s done a really good job so far this year.”
Port are fighting to avoid a fourth consecutive loss on Saturday night when taking on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, where a loss could see them fall to third on the ladder.