Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has hit out at "uneducated" speculation suggesting his future at Alberton could be reliant on the result of Friday's semi-final amid rekindled rumours linking the long-serving Power coach to West Coast.
Hinkley's name was raised as a reported option for the Eagles in July, with the Western Australian club in the midst of searching for Adam Simpson's replacement and has so far struggled to have top-line targets pursue the vacancy in Perth.
The speculation surrounding Hinkley comes despite the Power coach having a deal at Alberton for the 2025 season, with the two parties extending their partnership for two years in August last year.
A loss to Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on Friday night would see Hinkley go another season without a grand final appearance despite banking a spot in the top four, with Port Adelaide looking to avoid successive straight sets September exit.
With questions being raised as to whether Hinkley will remain at the club if the Power bow out of the finals race this week, the Power coach has shot down any suggestion his future is riding on the club's upcoming home final.
"I'm not going to be a smartarse here, but I'm contracted," Hinkley said on Thursday.
"That's what the board have told me all the way through; they've shown me great support the entire journey. I trust that that will always be the same.
"That's uneducated, that's not the facts. I get why the conversation keeps coming up, but the reality is... deal with the facts.
"I'm preparing this week to help our team find a way to get into a prelim final. That has got too much riding on it to spend any time in those other places. I just won't go there."
Hinkley isn't the only key Power figure having their future questioned, with contracted All-Australian Daniel Houston in the sights of several rival clubs from his home state of Victoria.
While Houston has communicated to the club and public, that he will be a Port Adelaide player in 2025, the rebounding defender is said to have met with four Victorian clubs in recent weeks.
Much like questions on his own future, Hinkley stood firm when quizzed on the future of his gun backman.
"I don't need to answer any more (questions) on Dan, do I?" Hinkley responded.
"I'm only saying what I hear from Dan and what we expect. That's the reality. Things happen, there'll be no surprises in footy seasons at the end of them. There'll be something that'll come from nowhere.
"This'll be the fourth time I've said it; Dan's contracted, he loves our footy club, and I expect him to be here next year."
The Power will host Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on Friday night, with a win booking them a preliminary final spot against Sydney next week.
