Leigh Matthews rips Port coach Ken Hinkley over startling comment in AFL press conference

AFL great Leigh Matthews has criticised Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley's post-match comments as the Power reach a crisis point with their finals hopes slipping away. After the game the Port Adelaide coach was defiant in his post-match press conference, saying he won't surrender despite being bood by Power fans following their record 79-point loss to Brisbane.

Sections of the Port crowd roundly booed Hinkley when he was shown on Adelaide Oval's big screens. And while Hinkley admitted the fan reaction wasn't fun post-match, he conceded it's the "reality" of his job before taking a swipe at Port's squad, stat it is "not one of the best teams in the competition".

"We sit below that (the best teams in the AFL) — everyone agrees," he said. "We have to keep working to change what our results have been to make sure they turn around and become what we need them to be." Hinkley's comments directly contradict what he said in March when he declared that Port's squad is "the best list that we've had in a good period of time".

While Port's season is far from a write-off just yet, the Power's third straight loss sees them fall to seventh and on the cusp of dropping out of a finals spot. And many are questioning if Hinkley is the man to bring success to the club given he holds the record for most VFL/AFL games coached without reaching a grand final - 262 - with a winning percentage of 59.7.

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Speaking on Channel 9 program 'Footy Furnace', Matthews says Hinkley's post-match dig at his side would have gone down like a lead balloon and done the opposite of what is needed to turn their recent form dip around. "I've got to say, I don't think it's healthy for a coach to say 'I don't think the team is good enough'," he said.

"I think what you've got to be saying all the time is 'We're not playing to the level we're capable of and that's our problem over the last few weeks and that's what we'll work towards'. Saying you're not good enough are bad words to pop out, it sends a bad message to your players."

Ken Hinkley's spot at Port Adelaide under threat

Hinkley's contract with Port Adelaide runs until the end of the 2025 season and there have been rumours assistant coach Josh Carr will take over once his deal runs out. However, despite being unsure whether the 57-year-old will retain his role for next season, Matthews believes Hinkley isn't the type to walk away from a challenge. "Rarely do coaches walk away but coaches that have been there a long time like Ken has, (should be) having that honest conversation with the club and (asking) is it time for a change?" Matthews said.

"Is it time for a new voice in the senior coaching role? I think that's a serious conversation that will be had and from that, I think if the club hasn't got faith in you, complete faith, that's when it's time for you to finish your tenure."