Don’t write off Port Adelaide, says Ken Hinkley.
The long-time Power coach and newest Fox Footy recruit for 2026 is backing his former club to surprise a few this season as it begins a new era under Josh Carr.
Following his departure from Alberton after 13 seasons in a coaching handover to Carr, Hinkley has enjoyed a “really refreshing” summer.
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It marked the first time in 22 years Hinkley hasn’t been at club land over a pre-season as he crosses over to the media.
Speaking to foxfooty.com.au at this week’s Kayo Sports AFL season launch event, Hinkley remains bullish that Port can still push for finals, despite many tipping the club to slide down to the ladder after nine wins in 2025.
“I’m biased because I know the list so well,” Hinkley said.
“They’ve got a really favourable draw this year. It doesn’t mean they’re going to win, but they’ve got a favourable start.
“With a favourable start you can get some confidence.
“I think Port will be pushing in that top 10 bracket. Whether they can maximise and go higher than that, I’m not sure.”
Meanwhile, Hinkley said Brisbane is still the “benchmark of the competition.”
He thinks the Lions are in the box seat to become the third team this century and sixth side in league history to win three-straight premierships.
“They have an unbelievable list and it’s only been strengthened, you bring Oscar Allen and Sam Draper in and another gun junior in Daniel Annable,” Hinkley said.
“They’re really talented, they’ve got ‘Kiddy’ Coleman coming back.
“So that list is the one you’ve got to beat if you’re going to win it.”
Roos defender in trouble after tackle | 00:36
Hinkley suggested we could be set for an “all-Queensland” grand final if the Suns can live up to expectations as another team he expects to be in the premiership mix.
“There’s some other really good young emerging lists as well, like Gold Coast. It could be an all-Queensland grand final if it went to plan with both these sides,” he added.
“Fremantle is another good team, Geelong, clearly. I think Sydney will bounce back pretty big.
“But you’ve got beat Brisbane if you’re going to win it.”
In addition to Sydney, the Western Bulldogs are the other club Hinkley is tipping to rise from outside the finals last year and finish inside the top six.
“Three out of the last four years a team has come from 15th, 16th and 17th to make the top four — I don’t think a side is going to come from the bottom four into the top four.
“But the Bulldogs and Sydney are both teams that could get up to the top six.”
Hinkley also predicted the 2026 season to throw up an “unknown” and new-age superstars to emerge.
“Is it going to be some of the rule changes? Is it going to be suspensions? Injuries? We’ve seen some club already decimated,” he added.
“Who’s the next emerging superstar of the game? Sam Darcy has been spoken about, I think there’s another couple of young players about to emerge.”
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