Toast I have faith in Ken Hinkley

[QPower]

The true test of Hinkley's coaching is to move this group beyond the Jekyll and Hyde performances of either being brilliant or woeful.

Top teams don't rise and dip like we do.

 

[finbarr]

At least we now know that Ken has the balls to make changes and some very good ones, having faith in pittard when most of used to cover our eyes when he got the ball. Young forward, Impy up the ground and the fantastic inclusion of DBJ. I have the faith again.

Changes are all well and good and sometimes they're more than justified, but there wouldn't be a coach in the AFL who isn't looking for a settled line-up. Change after change is hardly a breeding ground for a good understanding and familiarity between players, which is what he's looking for. Coaches like to settle on a line-up and make as few changes as possible, from Alistair Clarkson, to Ken Hinkley.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Another thread, another excuse for people to post YouTube videos of shit songs. Billy Joel, carn...

ah c'mon finny, it's still rock and roll to me

 

[CharlieKelly]

I've never really lost my faith in Hinkley, but I think West Coast in two weeks time will be a good indicator of where we're at

 

[Power One]

Another thread, another excuse for people to post YouTube videos of shit songs. Billy Joel, carn...

Have you ever taken the time to listen to Doris Day

 

[tribey]

Albertonian cheese status, tribey ?

Remains at DEFKEN 3. Brisbane are unfathomably awful. If we give Carlton the flogging they so richly deserve next week we could be in line for a complete stand down.

 

[HighBudget]

I've never really lost my faith in Hinkley, but I think West Coast in two weeks time will be a good indicator of where we're at

I hope our players aren't thinking about West Coast, that's the last thing they need to do. Carlton should be their focus

 

[TheFVK]

At least we now know that Ken has the balls to make changes and some very good ones, having faith in pittard when most of used to cover our eyes when he got the ball. Young forward, Impy up the ground and the fantastic inclusion of DBJ. I have the faith again.

No credit for the Pittard one since blind freddy could have picked we had something to work with there; I maintain that anyone baying for blood in that case was a moron.

My only real beef with Ken had been the ruck situation, which he had the courage to amend against Richmond by throwing in a one gamer. Gutsy yet necessary.

Like players a good coach doesn't lose his marbles overnight, he's taken us from staring into the abyss to lamenting a fleeting glimpse at greatness and with his track record and reputation we'd be foolish to think this was his only party trick.

 

[OneGreatClub]

I'm just relieved that JUSTWORK has seemingly decided to take a holiday from BF and stop the coach bagging. At least until our next loss.

 

[thundercloud]

Well not that I ever really lost it, I think I recalibrated from near Fos Williams level of adoration by the end of 2014 to a below realistic level sometime last year and early this year. I think now the balance is about right.

Now I know it's early and this will probably come back to bite me but if he can be written off by some after a couple of games he can be written back on.

A couple of more typically Port Adelaide hungry performances the past couple of weeks. The press seems to be working but more importantly the rebound generated off turnovers and the damage we can cause on the scoreboard is starting to return.

The forward pressure the past couple of weeks has been sensational and the message has been delivered that one way running will not be tolerated.

Ken is neither the messiah nor a very naughty boy and Vossy is not the biggest blood nut termite you've ever seen. They're only human but they may be building something yet that we can be proud of.

I have to say Westhoff to Dixon reminded me of a the blending of a couple of generations, vis a vis Darren Smith to Tim Evans.

 

[thundercloud]

I have never lost it. This thread can be crossreferenced with the cowboys one.

 

[Powertron]

I agree we need to win the next 5 and with some polish if we are to be a realistic top 8 contender

Win the next 5 and we turn in to the back half at 9-3, we'd be looking at top 4.

If we can be at 7-5 I'd be content, our form is improving but we haven't beaten anyone of note yet..

 

[JAlexG]

I'm enjoying seeing our quick rebound footy from the backline back.

 

[Malibu#27]

Bassett is starting to show his worth. 59 points against today. Give him some time, he's barely had time to put his feet under the desk.

He's easily the best assistant we have in my opinion.

 

[*PAF]

Nah.

Still playing an overloaded backline and one genuine key forward. Smashed a team that has been shit for ages.

Or to put it simply.

That might be how you win enough games to keep sponsors and casual spectators happy but
Thaz no how you win premierships!?

 

[PowerLil]

He's easily the best assistant we have in my opinion.

Agree. Was stoked at his appointment. Didn't fluke 3 SANFL flags.

 

[DazalenkoUBewty]

I never lost any faith in Ken Hinkley..

Make No mistake about it..We are very lucky to have him as coach.

And what a game from Jacko..Damn good!

 

[philreich]

Better credentialled teams will nail those crucial goals the Lions missed last night - some of their 17 behinds bordered on criminal. When the opposition does exert scoreboard pressure on us, it'll be fascinating to see how we respond.

But I believe there's still plenty of upside left in this group: Dixon is getting better with every outing, and the guys around him are growing in confidence. And if Trengove continues in beast mode in the ruck, that will be a huge bonus. Anyway: bring on the Blues - we owe them one after that MCG debacle last year!!!

 

[FPPF]

The only concerning thing is whether players turn up mentally to play or not.
We can over analyse changes and game plans, but if players aren't there mentally none of that matters.
We would have beaten Geelong if the players had stayed switched on or at the very least it would have been a highly entertaining and nail biting game. They didn't after quarter time and we got belted.
That's what's the most worrying thing about this group. How quickly they fade away to being witches hats at training.

What doesn't help is the intense scrutiny from the media in this state. Particularly since its loaded with crows ambassadors. They will amp the pressure with the intent of unsettling players and coaches. I just hope players and coaches don't get distracted by it. It's hard to avoid if you read the paper give we a 1 newspaper town. TV news isn't any better nor is the radio. You can't even listen to Fresh without some wank crows fan talking shit.

 

[Janus]

"You mentioned that vibe with Jacko before...are you noticing a change in vibe within the whole group these past couple of weeks?"

Hinkley: "Yeah, I'd be lying if I said no. I think that the facts are that yeah, I reckon I have. I think they've understood a little bit of what they want to be as much as who they think they are, and I think they're understanding that a bit better. You know, it's easy to get distracted in this game. It's really easy to get distracted, and you know we don't want to be in that space but sometimes it happens...and I think as a team at the moment we're starting to move in the right direction. We're starting to make the wheel move again...it's been stuck for awhile, and we're just pushing and pushing and maybe it moved a fraction for us."

"Who did they think they were? You said that 'Working out where they want to be...'"

Hinkley: "Oh, no, I just think they got...we as a footy team...we want to play well, but sometimes we're not quite sure of what makes us play as well as we need to. And it does get confusing...it's not just one thing or another, it's not just one small part of your game. It's just that you know when you're getting it right, you know when it's building and you can feel it. And I think for them, from their point of view, they can start to feel it, as I said, they've just felt that wheel start to turn just a little bit."

Sounds to me as though some players thought that what made them so good was their individual talent instead of the team collective and playing a role.

 

[Magus]

Still not sold on Hinkley - he said we aren't a 'sexy' football side.

Have you lost your mind Ken? Look at Charlie and tell me we're not sexy. I dare you.

 

[philreich]

I've never really lost my faith in Hinkley, but I think West Coast in two weeks time will be a good indicator of where we're at

Mind you, their form outside Perth has been abysmal this year - I'll be very disappointed if they suddenly turn it on in Adelaide!

 

[ROBBBO]

lol great thread

 

[raptalia]

Last year we fell over against Brisbane and Carlton. Getting through these weeks given our start is crucial.

Ken and co have made a few really positive moves given our injuries and omissions.
They deserve credit for:
1) Impey to the forward line
2) young as a HFF
3) Trengove to the ruck and a clear change in our clearances today
4) persisting with Neade (was a massive part in our win today)
5) Managing Polec - many were critical of dropping him but he has played great football on return.

All pretty decent moves, many of which I don't think many would've predicted trying or working before the season.

You might add Paul Stewart to the backline.

But weren't these all logical moves? If you are getting flogged, as we were in a couple of games, you have to try something and most of the moves you have listed were mentioned on numerous occasion by contributors to this site.

1. Not sure why Impey was ever considered a backman. If Krakouer is going to play down back Impey has to go forward or out of the side.
2. Young has played across half forward previously it is just that he has improved his game.
3. Trengove to ruck was the logical move if you are not going to play Lobbe.
4. Neade had a good one yesterday but one swallow does not make a summer. I will reserve judgement until Jake puts two or three good games together. Neade has shown the goods before but consistency has been his problem.
5. Polec deserved to be dropped, there was no magic in that.
6. Paul Stewart had his best ever season as a defender under Choco then Kingsley and Choco tried to make him into a forward and unfortunately it stuck.

No magic in any of the moves just logic and necessity and all were predictable.

 

[Steve Dore]

Still think we have a god coach with terrible assistants.

Shaun Hart?