Veteran AFL coach Ken Hinkley has apologised to Port Adelaide supporters for bungling a decision on captain Connor Rozee’s fitness.
Rozee is set for a stint on the sidelines after the Power lost their gamble on his hamstring injury.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Hinkley apologises for bungling Connor Rozee decision.
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The skipper was unable to finish last Friday night’s 10-point win against St Kilda because of a hamstring concern.
While scans showed some damage, Rozee was declared fit to face the Crows on Thursday night – only to again be substituted at three quarter-time of Adelaide’s 12.6 (78) to 5.18 (48) win.
“I apologise to our supporters for the decision that was made,” Hinkley said.
“The decision was made collectively but I am in charge.
“And I set Connor up to fail as a player by the way he had to perform out there.
“After halftime he couldn’t get to top speed and he was reluctant to kick.
“I made a mistake playing Connor Rozee … that was clear, it was obvious.
“I can try and hide behind it but I am not a coward when it comes to owning a mistake and that was what it was.”
Rozee will miss Port’s trip to Geelong to meet the unbeaten Cats next Friday night.
“It’s no worse but it’s the same issue,” Hinkley said of Rozee’s injury
“Which would suggest to me that if he had the week off, he would be better the next week so.
“He thought he was absolutely right to play … he was flat-out two days in a row, no problems at all.
“I watched him kick the ball from 60 metres, have shots at goal, I’ve seen all the things you needed to see.
“I should have known that or should have known that that was perhaps going to happen.”
Many fans appreciated Hinkley’s post-match honesty, but some were critical and thought the decision to play Rozee was always destined to fail.
“Nothing wrong with owning your mistakes. It’s refreshing. Need more of it. Good on Ken,” one fan said on X (formerly Twitter).
And another: “Love the honesty. Ken always up front. Well done.
And another: “Credit for owning it, refreshing to see
But other fans were furious, particularly considering Hinkley’s experience in the role.
“Absolute horror decision,” one blasted on X.
And another: “Who would know Ken, its almost like everyone knows one week hamstrings don’t exist.”
And another: “Showdowns are played with finals like intensity, which probably explains Hinkley’s poor record in Showdowns.”
And another: “Blind Freddy knew that it was a mistake Kenny.”
Hinkley has been coaching Port since 2013 and is yet to taste premiership success. His future at the club was in the spotlight last year until he signed a two-year contract extension.
Needless to say, frustrated fans were again calling for Hinkley’s head.
“Not like this is the first time you have played players injured, Ken. Hang ‘em up and hand over the reins to (midfield coach Josh) Carr,” one fan said.
And another: “The club made a mistake re-signing you
And another: “Lol … unprofessional as it comes. Where is (Port Adelaide chairman David) Koch?”
It was disastrous night for Port, with plenty of other injuries to come out of it as well.
Key forwards Todd Marshall (ankle) and Mitch Georgiades (knee) were also hurt in the defeat.
And the loss came amid a horror stretch of goalkicking, with Port’s 5.18 also troubling Hinkley.
“We just could not convert,” he said.
“They reality is for us, that has been consistent, we have been falling down too often in conversion.
“The facts are, we’re not scoring at the level that we need to.”
– With Cameron Noakes
