June 2 2017 - 9:11AM

Save

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley denies 'play well, get a contract' pressure on players

Port Adelaide's eye-catching form isn't linked to the amount of uncontracted players at the AFL club, coach Ken Hinkley says.

The Power have deliberately stalled negotiations with 17 players who will be out of contract at season's end.

Plays of the Week

Romantic fighters, old school moves and last minute Aussie heroes, these are the plays of the week.

State of Origin 2017: 5 things to know

The State of Origin is upon us, here are 5 things you need to know ahead of game one.

Sam Stosur through to third round

Beating unseeded Flipkens in straight sets to reach the French Open third round. Cibulkova and Kvitova both knocked out at the second round stage

Nadal and Djokovic ease through

To the men's third round of the French Open with comfortable straight set victories.

Network Ten tackles A-League

The A-League scores big after Network Ten signs a two-year deal to broadcast the homegrown competition and select Socceroo matches.

Concussion explained

From footballers to equestrian riders, even amateur sports players would do well to learn how to recognise and respond to a concussion.

LeBron James' property vandalised

Basketball superstar LeBron James' Los Angeles home was vandalized with a racial slur, one day before the Cleveland Cavaliers player was set to take the court in the first game of the NBA finals.

Aussies knocked out in Fiji semis

Tatiana Weston-Webb and Courtney Conlogue will meet in the final of the Fiji Women's Pro after defeating Tyler Wright and Sally Fitzgibbons in their respective semi-finals. www.worldsurfleague.com

Plays of the Week

Romantic fighters, old school moves and last minute Aussie heroes, these are the plays of the week.

But Hinkley says the delay isn't designed to send a message of "play well, get a contract".

"You have got to earn your opportunities and earn your rewards," Hinkley said after Port thrashed Hawthorn by 51 points on Thursday night to rise to fourth on the ladder.

The AFL's delay in reaching a new collective bargaining agreement with the players' union was the main factor in Port's stance.

"We have had a CBA which has been dragged out and dragged out and you don't quite know where it is," Hinkley said.

"It wouldn't have been smart business to start doing too much until you at least get that locked away. It's still not locked away.

"So let's be patient. The players all understand ... they all know exactly where it's at. It's not like they're uncertain about what is going on."

Hinkley said his players weren't in the AFL for the money.

"They are competitive people, these blokes," he said.

"When they go out and play, it's not because they have or have not got a long- term contract.

"It's their willingness just to play for every moment. They love playing AFL football and the bonus is the contract."

Hinkley was unaware of reports Melbourne are preparing a bid for backman Jasper Pittard who, like teammate Jackson Trengove, become a free agent at the end of the season.

"Jasper and Jacko both fall in that bracket of restricted or unrestricted free agency so we understand the new world that we live in," Hinkley said.

"And if you're looking at those players, you would probably suspect they may get some opportunities.

"But what I will say is our players have been strong in staying around."

- AAP

Overall standings
Team	P	W	L	D	%	Pts
Adelaide Crows	10	8	2	0	144.98	32
GWS Giants	10	8	2	0	117.89	32
Geelong Cats	10	7	3	0	116.34	28
Port Adelaide	10	6	4	0	148.56	24
Western Bulldogs	10	6	4	0	108.38	24
Richmond	10	6	4	0	108.25	24
West Coast Eagles	10	6	4	0	101.91	24
Fremantle	10	6	4	0	81.48	24