After winning just two finals in 10 years, Port Adelaide have had the gauntlet thrown their way in a season that is shaping as do-or-die for Ken Hinkley.
Fresh off their Round 13 bye, the Power now have a crucial clash at ENGIE Stadium against Greater Western Sydney this Sunday evening – a match that could either solidify their place in the top four until at least after the byes, or have them slip as low as eighth by the end of the weekend.
And with a tough draw to come heading into September, Hinkley’s 12-year legacy at the club could hinge on the upcoming 11 weeks.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Wednesday night, two-time North Melbourne premiership player David King referenced the club’s lack of success on the big stage, and subsequently their inability to beat the best – especially when it matters.
“In August last year when they re-signed Ken, it was to win big games, big finals – last year was the year they were setting for, (and) clearly it didn’t go their way out in straight-sets,” King begun by saying.
“It’s games like this weekend against top-eight teams that separate the top-four prospects, top-eight prospects or are you an also-ran.
“When you’ve been there 11 or 12 years, it’s not about the list – because this is your list. You’ve built it, you’ve cultivated, your method is embedded, it’s about: ‘Does it stack up or not?’”
“Against the best teams is really all we’re qualifying now with Port; I’m not really judging their numbers against the rest – because they’ve always brained the rest, and won two finals in 10 years.”
Port this season have smashed West Coast (50 points), Essendon (69 points) and North Melbourne (59 points), with the Bombers the only side in the top half of the ladder of note.
A win on the road against Geelong in Round 9 was a massive tick next to their name, and looked to be perhaps a turning point in their season after a so-so start to 2024.
However, a recent six-goal loss to Carlton at home has brought them back down to earth heading into the mid-season break.
