There is a message that keeps seeping out from across the border every time Port members dare to critique the longest serving coach in AFL/VFL history without a grand final appearance. The implication is that the only reason Ken has not been more successful, and the only reason even the most rusted on Port members want to see the back of him, is his state of origin. “We hate you because you’re Victorian”, “Kick a Vic” and all that.
The reality could not be further from the truth. The Port Adelaide Football Club has always thrived on welcoming “outsiders” whether they be from other local clubs, interstate or even different cultures, the PAFC has always been a place that welcomed people so long as they met one important criteria. They were here to live up to The Creed and win premierships. In fact some of the club’s biggest names have been brought in from “outside”. In fact the famous Williams dynasty was initiated by the club targeting Fos Williams as captain coach from rival West Adelaide.
And there certainly wasn’t a chip on their shoulder about welcoming those from Victoria, that particular mode of discrimination is more favoured by our “team for all South Australian” neighbours across at the swamp. Players like John Abley, Bomber Clifford, Dave Granger, Russell Johnston, Brian Leys, Robbie Gray, Travis Boak and Ollie Wines have been welcomed to the club with open arms. Even those who have failed to or have yet to achieve the ultimate success at the club have been honoured for their ability to be “active, aggressive and devoted to this cause”.
In fact this very week Port have celebrated their famous first AFL flag in 2004 and have honoured no less than 6 Victorian premiership heroes. Do you think that Matt Bishop, Brent Montgomery, Damian Hardwick, Josh Mahoney, Adam Kingsley and grand final hero Toby Thurstans were celebrated less because they were Victorian? Not at all, in fact many of the members now look longingly towards GWS coach Adam Kingsley as one that may have gotten away.
After 12 years without the ultimate success, blaming Ken Hinkley’s state of origin for the reaction of the members to him is lazy at best and patronising and gaslighting at worst.
Port and their members have over the decades made clear what they love in their idols and it has nothing to do with race, religion or state of origin. They want success, and if they can’t have that they want them to be “active, aggressive and devoted to this cause”. They want every stone to be upturned in the relentless pursuit of such success. They don’t want losers saying that they “wouldn’t change a thing”, they don’t want excuses, they don’t want to hear their own club and player group talked down, they don’t want to be patronised and they don’t want to be ridiculed for demanding accountability.
It is time for the board and administration of the Port Adelaide Football Club to be “active, aggressive and devoted to this cause”. It is time for them to stand up for their members rather than talking down to them or allowing others to do the same. It is time for them to demand and welcome accountability.
It is time to sack Ken Hinkley, not because of his state of origin but because of the state of the club.
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