Port Adelaide chairman David Koch has flagged that "hard decisions" are on the horizon at Alberton Oval after their 2022 finals hopes were mathematically scrapped on Saturday night.
The 38-point loss to Richmond saw any last hope of a top-eight finish dashed, with the Power also unable to even make the top half of the ladder one season after a second successive top-four finish.
This season saw senior coach Ken Hinkley take the unwanted title as the longest-running coach to not feature in a grand final, having first started his tenure with the South Australian club ahead of the 2013 season.
Now nearing the conclusion of arguably the Power's worst campaign under Hinkley, many have called for change in the senior coaching position, while speculation has suggested a current vacancy at either GWS or North Melbourne could suit the 55-year-old.
The suggestions have only seen Port Adelaide bosses reaffirm their stance on Hinkley's future at Port Adelaide, continuing to echo the fact their senior coach remains contracted for next year.
But despite Hinkley's recent backing, Koch stated the club isn't "afraid to make change".
โItโs not just about one individual person. Itโs the whole program. Turn it around or watch out," Koch told FIVEaa.
โBecause every single personโs role will be assessed at the end of the year, as we do each year. But this year is more important than ever and we are not afraid to make change. We have made plenty of changes.
โWe have got to win games and we know that is what we exist to do.
โWe will be making those hard decisions at the end of the year across the entire program to make us better next year.โ
Koch's comments come days after Port Adelaide CEO Matthew Richardson flagged a dive into the club's program, with the Power's top brass to assess both their playing list and coaching group.
SEE ALSO: Koch claims Port could cut ties with SANFL competitionย
Richardson toldย ABC Radioย over the weekend that the club sees Hinkley as their man for next season, however also echoed the need for change within their football department.
"We'll assess our performance and that'll be across the whole programme. So that's going to be the playing list, the coaching group. 'How are we going to get better for 2023?'
"This is not a reset moment. As we've said, Ken's contracted."
The Power will face Essendon at Marvelk Stadium this weekend in hope of snapping their four-game losing run, before a Round 23 clash with cross-town rivals Adelaide to end their 2022 season.
Hinkley has amassed a win rate of 58.37 per cent across 10 seasons and 129 matches at the helm of Port Adelaide, amassing a record of 129-92.
