Port Adelaide Chairman David Koch has used a speech at the club’s best and fairest event to applaud coach Ken Hinkley for his “courage” and “selflessness” in making tough list calls to help drive the Power towards an AFL premiership.

Koch told the 900 people on hand at the Adelaide Convention Centre that while 2019 fell short of expectations with the Power finishing in tenth place on the ladder, the club was better positioned to attack the premiership in future.

He said the best and fairest celebration was a chance to reflect and congratulate the individual award winners before refocussing on 2020.

“The reality is though, we measure success here at Port Adelaide in relation to the team and everyone here tonight would understand that,” Koch explained.

“So, from that perspective 2019 fell short of our expectations. Unfortunately, we fell short of playing finals and therefore failed to give ourselves a chance of competing for the premiership.

“To that end, we are disappointed and we acknowledge that.

“On the other hand, we believe we are far better positioned now than we were 12 months ago in pursuit of our next premiership.”

Koch said on the surface consecutive tenth place finishes weren’t good enough, but the club had a clear path towards success.

“Our list development over the last 12 months has been significant. We have added three elite young players to our group – Connor, Xavier and Zac – in the last year. I’m sure you’ll agree they all are very exciting.

“But what is equally exciting for us is the next tier of 23 years and under players. Think of the development of the likes of Houston, Byrne-Jones, Clurey, Amon, Garner, Bonner and Burton who have all improved their football significantly in the past 12 months.

“We are taking a longer-term view of improving our list for the future but we will not bottom out. We reset at the end of 2018 and are building towards our next premiership, for that’s why we exist, to win premierships.”

Koch said with a strong core of 23 players under 23 on the list and the most games played by players aged 20 and under in the competition in 2019, the club had invested in youth.

He said that was mostly down to Ken Hinkley’s selflessness.

“Whilst it could have been easy for Ken to promote a short-term view to protect the win/loss count in 2019, he selflessly and unequivocally bought into the view that the club had to make tough calls at the end of last season that would set the club up moving forward to our next premiership,” the Port Adelaide Chairman said.

“Ken should be applauded for that. It was a courageous decision made for the betterment of the Port Adelaide Football Club moving forward. And he has been judged by certain quarters throughout the season who have failed to see the bigger picture at play here.

“I reiterate…. this club is here to win premierships, not limp from one finals campaign to another, relying on short-term sugar hits of just making finals. We exist to win premierships, not just to make up the numbers in finals.”

On that front Koch congratulated SANFL coach Matthew Lokan and everyone involved in the SANFL program for reaching the Grand Final in 2019.

“Whilst highlighting the spirit and exuberance shown by our youth this season, congratulations to everyone involved at the Magpies for an outstanding year. Yes, it bloody hurt not to win the flag…it still hurts actually…but well done to Matthew Lokan, his coaching staff and all the players who got us to the Grand Final against all odds.

“The SANFL have, and will continue to try to impose restrictions on us in order to prevent us from winning an SANFL flag but we will continue to strive for success at both AFL and SANFL level.

“Again, we generally fielded a very young team in the SANFL this year and I was proud with how the entire group connected and embraced the Port Adelaide way this season. You could get a sense of the pride each and every one of you felt this year when you pulled on those famous Prison Bars. We are very proud of how this group developed this year and we look forward to how you all continue develop moving forward. You are the future of our club.”

Koch finished with a clear message to the Port Adelaide faithful.

“To the entire Port Adelaide family – players, coaches, staff, volunteers, corporate partners, members and supporters – we are on a clear path as to where we are heading.

“We are building towards sustained success and our next premiership.”