KEN HINKLEY insisted at his first press conference as Port Adelaide coach in 2012 that he was the best man standing for the job at a fractured club that wanted more than just to survive in the AFL. He now leaves with the club's future secure - and from this foundation will come the premiership that eluded him.

"We are a better footy club," said Hinkley who has lived football's great demand to leave the game in a better place than he found it.

"We are in a much better position. That does give you some pride. We are a really healthy footy club. We are getting bigger. Membership base is huge. We are a pretty good footy club right now. And we will be a better footy club into the future.

"The future at Port Adelaide is really, really strong. The optimism for our future is great. This footy club will be strong for a long time."

Hinkley leaves Alberton defining his 13-year tenure as a "great journey".

"It has been full of ups and downs," he said in the lead-up to Friday night's farewell for him and former captain Travis Boak at Adelaide Oval against Gold Coast.

"It is a journey I am incredibly proud of; one I will look back on for a long time and still be excited about what it was like here when we got here ... and when we left."

Hinkley did not hide from the long-standing observation that he took Port Adelaide close - with four preliminary finals, including last season - but not to the premiership play-off.

"Didn't make a grand final ... didn't win one," said Hinkley. "That is what it will be (when people define his legacy at Port Adelaide). That is the reality of football. It stings ... it stings a lot. It is what you set out to do (to win the premiership). 

"The winning record is great ... but I wanted to win (the flag). The club wanted to win. We did not quite get there. Clearly, that is disappointing.

"But we did build this football club up. We have done well with lots of things. Ultimately, we did not get to the end. But you have to be pretty proud of what the Port Adelaide Football Club is today."

Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson highlighted Hinkley has built a sound platform from which his successor Josh Carr can thrive in his first AFL senior coaching role.

"A significant chapter ends," said Richardson of an era that delivered almost a 60 per cent winning rate, seven finals series and four preliminary finals. 

"With Ken we have given it everything. 

"Ken has always put the club first. He had an eye on winning now - and to winning in the future. He has built a fantastic platform for Josh Carr and our playing group."

Richardson hailed Hinkley's bond with his players.

"Your genuine care for every player is real," Richardson said. "It has been 13 years of unwavering commitment to the Port Adelaide Football Club."

Hinkley was emotional when praising his family for "unconditional support".

"They have done it harder than me," Hinkley said. "They have to show the support which is unconditional - and you don't always get that in footy. I will be forever grateful."

Hinkley's last pre-game media conference at Alberton left this memory:

FINAL EMOTIONS: "A bit of everything," Hinkley said. "Some relief, some reality ... I will wake up on Saturday morning not the coach of Port Adelaide any more. That will be interesting after such a long time. But it is the right time for it to come to an end.

"I loved the job. There are parts you do not enjoy. But that chase, that thrill of victory, that will always keep me going. The job is so satisfying - it is an honour. For me it was about the players and watching them win. The five minutes after a game when you get a victory with them is enough to drive you to keep doing this for your entire life."

WHAT WILL BE MISSED: "I will miss the players," said Hinkley, adding he would not miss the media briefings. "The footy club, day-to-day ... I woke up for 13 years to drive here; I will miss that. It is such a great job. You turn up and watch footy ... it is not all that bad."

HIGHLIGHTS: "A lot," Hinkley said. "It is hard to do them justice right now. Year 1 is hard to beat. I did not quite expect to get the job, not many people wanted the job. I landed on my feet luckily. And first year we made the finals ... The start was pretty good. And the people you meet is as good as any highlight from the success."

JOSH CARR: "He will do an outstanding job," Hinkley said. "I could not have wished for a better person to support me all the way through. Now comes the time for him to step up. I just hope so much that he can get Port Adelaide where they want to go. I am sure he will give it one helluva shake. He will do an outstanding job. The players will love him."

FINAL MESSAGE TO PLAYERS: "Win," Hinkley said. "And make the most of your chances. Nothing is guaranteed. Turn up and keep turning up. If you do, you hopefully get what you deserve. You can't quit."

NO GRAND FINAL: "You take the chance. We were willing to get hurt to win. If you are not willing to get hurt, don't turn up," Hinkley said. "We as a football club have always been willing to turn up. We have had to take some hurt along the way. Next time, who knows ..."