Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says Sam Powell-Pepper’s call to miss this week’s round of football was “best for the team”.
“(Powell-Pepper) was dealing with some pressures that he didn’t think would put him in the position to play the football that he needed to play,” Hinkley said on Friday.
“He’s obviously not in the headspace that he probably feels like he needs to be in.
“That was a really mature decision for Sam and he made a decision based on what’s best for the team.”
On Thursday the club announced Powell-Pepper had made himself “unavailable for selection” because his “focus has been compromised”.
SPP is still under investigation by the AFL over allegations he indecently assaulted a woman at an Adelaide nightclub.
“It’s caused him some grief and some concern, which it should have, but he’s dealing with it and he’ll handle it.
“I’m sure Chris (Davies, football manager) and the AFL will work really closely to get it done as soon as they possibly can, which I said a week ago is where we should probably leave it.
“It’s an investigation, it’s still ongoing.
“When we get any information, we’ll share it with everyone.”
Ken Hinkley is about to address the media ahead our blockbuster ANZAC Round clash with the Cats #PAFClive pic.twitter.com/jaAj70j1Dl
— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) April 20, 2018
