Hinkley inks deal with Port

Ken Hinkley says he couldn’t turn his back on his love for his Port Adelaide players and leave the club.

Hinkley officially signed a contract extension to coach Port until the end of the 2021 season, rejecting overtures to join Gold Coast.

“I’m just so pleased to be still part of this club and this group of players,’’ he said yesterday.

“I have always said what we have going is unbelievable as a group between coaches and players and football club. I needed to keep that going.”

Hinkley said the Suns’ interest prompted internal soul searching.

“The discussions were going on in my own mind ... did I have the energy to do what I need to do? And I certainly do,” he said.

Hinkley has taken Port to the finals in three of his five years at the helm.