Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has been linked to the GWS Giants vacancy as the Power look to mend their poor start to the season.
The Power opened their 2022 account with five straight losses and immediately looked to be outside of the finals picture after the first month of the season.
The pressure on Hinkley's shoulders has since eased, however the Alberton Club remain below the level that was expected of them prior to the season's start.
Port have clawed back some respect since their winless run, having claimed five wins in their past six matches to sit one win outside of the top eight and see the finals frame wider than what it was a month ago.
Matches against Richmond (twice), Sydney, Fremantle, Melbourne, Geelong and Collingwood in the back-half of the season will prove crucial to the Power's September chances, and should Hinkley fall short of finals, questions are sure to be asked of his future.
Despite being contracted to the South Australian club until the end of next year, the Giants are expected to come calling for Hinkley.
Speaking on Dead Set Legends, Triple M reporter Jay Clark linked the Giants to Hinkley's services, stating the Port Adelaide coach will be one to watch.
"This is a big one... clubs [are] just talking about whether it might be a natural parting of the ways with Ken Hinkley at the end of the season," Clark said.
"We know GWS is going to have that conversation with Ken, contracted or not, about what he might be open to next season.
"GWS, if they don't get Clarko, Ken Hinkley would be their number two priority I think.
"They need some experience, some presence, some profile and helping grow the game, as well as winning games of footy.
"I think that's gonna be a big story come the end of the season.
The Giants are expected to wait until the end of year to confirm their next senior coach, with interim coach Mark McVeigh taking on the caretaker duties for the rest of the season.
McVeigh is among several candidates likely to be considered by the Giants to succeed Leon Cameron, with four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson headlining the names linked to the job.
Former Essendon senior coach James Hird has joined McVeigh in a part-time role along with ex-teammate and Suns assistant Dean Solomon in Sydney's west, however the pair are unlikely to be at the top of the Giants' list.
Assistant coaches Jaymie Graham (Fremantle), Adem Yze (Melbourne) and Adam Kingsley (Richmond) are among the deputies seen as options ready to take the next step in their coaching careers.
Both the Giants and Power have a bye for Round 12 and will return to action next weekend against North Melbourne and Richmond respectively.
