‘Last game coaching him’: Ken’s tear-jerking words for wounded gun after cruel injury

An emotional Ken Hinkley has been left saddened by the likelihood that he has coached Sam Powell-Pepper for the last time after the Port Adelaide star suffered a second serious knee injury within two seasons in the Power’s 28-point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Hinkley said it was likely that Powell-Pepper would again be sidelined with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament – this time in his left knee – after being forced off the field in the third quarter of Brisbane’s win that shoots them back up into second on the ladder.

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‘The 27-year-old returned only this season after rupturing his right ACL last year against St Kilda — the opposite leg to the one he injured on Saturday night.

“It obviously looks like an ACL,” said Hinkley, whose tenure as Port coach will end at the conclusion of this season.

“We will get the scan back over the next couple of days, but that’s really, really sad. When I think about that, it gets a bit sadder for me because it’s my last game of coaching Sam, and he’s been such a great player for me.

“It’s really difficult when you have someone that you really care about to see that happen to him for the second time on the other leg.

“I wish him a speedy recovery, and I know he’ll be a great player for Port Adelaide.”

The injury was a sad end to an otherwise memorable week for Powell-Pepper, who celebrated the birth of his new child.

“He’s had a new baby, and (now) he has to deal with that (injury), but in typical ‘Pep’ fashion, he’ll deal with it,“ Hinkley said.

“He’ll have a couple of days where it’ll be pretty tough, and he’ll be back.”

Powell-Pepper was one of three Port players who didn’t finish the game, with Dante Visentini (ankle) and Esava Ratugolea (hamstring) both failing to complete the first quarter.

Despite the injuries, the Power never gave up, but a run of eight successive Brisbane first-half goals ultimately proved too much for the visitors to overcome.

Sam Powell-Pepper of the Power is helped from the ground during the Round 17 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Port Adelaide Power at the Gabba on July 5, 2025 (Photo by Russell Freeman via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

“Bar a 10-minute patch in the first quarter, we played 119 minutes where we outscored Brisbane at home, and I’m really proud of that effort by the boys,” Hinkley said.

“We never threw it in at any stage. With all the things that were going a little bit wrong, and some of those things, clearly, were injuries, which was really sad, but then there was some turnover stuff that came from us that we gave Brisbane.

“They’re a great side, and they capitalised on every moment we gave them, but again, I’m really proud of the performance by the boys.”

The inside bull was electric in the first half against the Lions, kicking two goals from his 11 disposals to breathe genuine life into a once-improbable Power comeback.

“In the second quarter, it was all about Sam Powell-Pepper. He had 11 touches (and) kicked one of his two goals in that second term,” three-time Brisbane premiership player Alastair Lynch said of him at the main break.

“He made a massive impact, and gave Port Adelaide a real, genuine chance at half time. A great effort by Port Adelaide, and a great effort by Sam.

“Ironically, 10 were uncontested — but it was more the presence. The way he goes around and makes an impact ton the contest … or, just puts other (opposition) players in a little bit of doubt.”

Hinkley ended his presser by conceding Port’s bid to play finals football this season was all but over following a ninth loss in 16 games.

“Let’s be honest … we’ll play really hard to the end of the year whenever the end of the year is, but it looks like to me that 14-15 wins is what you need to get in (the top-eight) anyhow,” he said.

“Unfortunately we’re not in the eight this year, but we’re a side that going forward has got a bright future.”

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