Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has dismissed stinging criticism about his future from a membership legend as largely irrelevant.
Power nice Warren Tredrea has labelled Hinkley’s future past this yr as untenable and cited a disconnect between the membership and its followers.
Hinkley is off-contract on the finish of the season, his eleventh on the helm of Port.
“I appreciate opinions, that’s all I can do with them – they are opinions and I respect some opinions and I don’t respect all opinions,” Hinkley advised reporters on Friday.
“But the reality is I have got a job to do right now.
“We have simply performed spherical three. The competitors is so on and so alive I can not get distracted by that.
“The club has been incredibly strong with the way we have handled this situation.”
Port president David Koch and senior gamers together with Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines have publicly supported Hinkley.
Hinkley and membership hierarchy have delay any contract talks till not less than August.
“We all get that this is going to be topical through the season,” Hinkley stated.
“And I am more than comfortable with it being topical because I get that that is the job you (media) have to do.
“But the truth is I’ve received a job to do myself and I’ll do this in addition to I can.”
Hinkley noted Tredrea, Port’s all-time leading goalkicker and only AFL premiership captain, is now a prominent media identity.
“I respect the actual fact that they’ve opinions, be that Warren or anybody else within the media,” Hinkley stated.
“You individuals (media) … I respect the truth that you’re employed within the media and it’s a must to have opinions.”
Asked about Tredrea’s belief of a disconnect with supporters, Hinkley replied: “I can not break down another person’s ideas so that you must ask them.”
And he said public support from players was not surprising.
“The indisputable fact that my gamers care is basically good for me, I suppose, in some methods,” he stated.
“But the truth is I must concentrate on footy, that’s what I must concentrate on, getting them to play their best possible soccer.
“And together … we’re going to give a real good account of ourselves for the rest of the season and we will see where it takes us.
“But you’d anticipate nothing much less … would you anticipate the gamers to return out and say that they need me out?
“I don’t think so. I think that is a ridiculous thing to look for.
“The actuality is we work collectively very well, we now have received an important relationship, our complete membership is basically linked.
“We have got nothing to worry about other than getting our job done this week.”
Port, with one win and two losses, play Sydney on the SCG on Saturday night time.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
