Embrace home of footy today: Hinkley

New Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley wants his players to have no fear when they step out on to the MCG today. Picture: Calum Robertson. Source: adelaidenow

PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has urged his players to embrace the wide expanses of the MCG today, the only game they are scheduled to play at the home of football for the season.

The Power have played only one game a season at the ground for the past three seasons but Hinkley has told his list it is the venue at which he is plotting for the club to one day have success again - the place where seasons are crowned or lost.

SCROLL DOWN FOR DETAILS OF PORT'S DEBUTANTS

It is also the ground earmarked for big matches, and if Port succeeds in its immediate goal - to become respected and relevant again - the club can expect to be granted more games there.

The Power has broken even at the ground since its landmark premiership in 2004 - six wins, six losses and a draw - but has not won there since it upset reigning premier Hawthorn in Round 4 back in 2009.

But Hinkley said the ground held no fears for the club, which is well aware of the perils of being lost on one of the wings on the wide oval.

"For us, going to the MCG is where we want to be able to go and play football and it's another opportunity," he said.

Port Adelaide debutants, front from left, Jake Neade and Kane Mitchell, back from left, Angus Monfries, Ollie Wines, Campbell Heath and Lewis Stevenson. Picture: Sarah Reed.

"Yes, we don't have many of those opportunities so we try to make the most of those opportunities when we get them. This is one of them and one we look forward to taking on."

Port will bring a raw side across, with six players representing Port for the first time and three players making their AFL debut.

And then there's Hinkley, who makes his own debut as AFL coach.

His least concern is over his own nerves, because he has had a lifetime in the game, as a take-them-on defender at Fitzroy and Geelong, premiership coach in country ranks and as an assistant coach with the Cats and the Suns.

"Mine (nerves) are OK," Hinkley said. "Having been around football for a long time and being involved in coaching . . . yes, it's my first game officially as an AFL coach but I'm not at all worried about my own performance. I think I'm more worried about making sure that the team is up and about and that the boys are feeling comfortable.

"All they've got to do is go out and play as they have for the last three or four weeks. I know it's a little bit different because it is their first AFL game officially, but if they go and perform the way they have in the NAB Cup they'll be OK."

Part of the club's quest to win back the respect of the competition will be on display during today's match through a deal with broadcaster Fox Footy.

Commentator David King, a former North Melbourne premiership player and News Ltd columnist, will be allowed access to the coaches' box during the broadcast of the game.

Hinkley said he had no qualms about the arrangement, which would have some coaches concerned about internal secrets being revealed.

"We're opening ourselves up for Fox a little bit," Hinkley said. "We want to grow the club and we know that part of that is to let some people see what we do and understand what we actually do.

"We've got to make sure that Port Adelaide becomes relevant again and that means we've got to put ourselves up for show a little bit more as Kochie (chairman David Koch) has said all the way through and that's something we're prepared to do as a club."

Today's match brings an end to a fruitful off-season for Port Adelaide, which has been revamped by a fresh air of change to the board, the coaching panel, the captaincy and playing list.

Chief executive Keith Thomas was chuffed as he reviewed the pre-season, but warned the true test began now.

"The way I'm feeling, we couldn't have done the summer much better," Thomas said. "We've made some very significant changes and think we've executed them well.

"It's created a feeling of energy and positivity and energy and hopefully it will transfer to the field. I'm hoping that it will and am confident that it will."

Thomas said Hinkley and fitness coach Darren Burgess had both delivered on their vast promise after clocking in at the club, but singled out former Collingwood wingman and experienced assistant coach Alan Richardson as a surprise boon for the club.

He had arrived with good references, but had exceeded expectations in his work in establishing a new culture and working as Hinkley's right-hand man.

"The appointment of Ken Hinkley was very positive, and we were confident it would be," Thomas said. "The thing we weren't sure about was whether we'd get him, and the same can be said for Darren Burgess, who has been everything we've expected.

"The surprising revelation has been the relationship between Alan Richardson and Ken Hinkley.

"We brought in Richardson because we wanted to have strong support for Hinkley, and he's been an absolute sensation.

"He's been a great support for Ken and also helped develop and fast-track the younger coaches."

PORT'S NEW BOYS

ANGUS MONFRIES

Drafted: From Sturt to Essendon at no. 14 in 2004 national draft.

AFL games: 150.

What's he like? Has grunt abut him and can play as a forward as well as having an impact in the midfield.

OLLIE WINES

Drafted: From the Bendigo under-18s at No. 7 in last year's national draft.

AFL games: 0

What's he like? Has shown his value in winning contested ball in the midfield during the pre-season.

CAMPBELL HEATH

Drafted: From the Gippsland under-18s to Sydney at No. 61 in the 2008 draft.

AFL games: 2

What's he like? A left-footer with a good kick suited to setting up attacks from defence.

LEWIS STEVENSON

Drafted: From Claremont to West Coast as a rookie in 2008 and elevated to the senior list in 2010.

AFL games: 10

What's he like? Quick type who can stand both the talls and the smalls.

JAKE NEADE

Drafted: From the Northern Territory via Victoria, where he played with North Ballarat's under-18s. Taken by GWS but traded on.

AFL games: 0

What's he like? Lightly built forward who is super competitive and a great tackler.

KANE MITCHELL

Drafted: Taken as a rookie from Claremont last year but has been elevated to the senior list.

AFL games: 0

What's he like? Dangerous on the outside, where he can burn off oponents and has good goal sense.

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