Former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was in the market for a few stars in recent times.

The Power went after some established players at rival clubs in the final few years of Hinkley’s time at the helm at Alberton.

Most recently they went after GWS’ Harry Perryman at the end of 2024 only to miss out when he chose his boyhood club Collingwood instead.

Hinkley recalled how the talks went down and why Perryman opted for the Pies.

“We were into Harry and I got on really well with Harry, met him a couple of times and had good conversations with him,” Hinkley said on SEN’s Sportsday.

“Because I think at that stage what had fallen out a little bit is that Harry had felt a little undervalued, I think maybe from a Giants offer. That's when you can pounce if you've got money.

“Harry was really close, I thought, and Collingwood (only) came late. I think they come into the conversation very late. And he grew up barracking for Collingwood.

“I do remember the conversation, it was long odds (for us). ‘This was a boyhood dream, Kenny. I just had to play for Collingwood’.

“And he's playing pretty well too, he’s a good player.”

Port also went after Jordan Dawson who had a career-best season with Sydney in 2021.

The South Australian would eventually end up at Adelaide having been crazy about the club and Crows superstar Mark Ricciuto during his childhood.

“Jordan Dawson's another one who was a Crows fan. I thought, ‘Oh, gee it'd be great to get him’, but unfortunately he chose the Crows,” Hinkley said of the current Crows captain.

“We were fighting hard because at the time, and Crows people who are listening, the Crows weren't going great (seven wins) and we'd won a lot of footy (17 wins).

“We were saying, ‘Jordan, we just need this piece to help us push into a Grand Final, and you never know what can happen’.

“But I didn't know that he had photos of Mark Ricciuto on his bedroom wall and stuff when he was growing up, and I've known this now since I've spoken with ‘Roo’ on air a couple of times off air at Fox and he said, ‘Yeah it probably didn't hurt to have a family fan’, and he did his best work to get him, I’m sure.”

The following year the Power were in the mix for Western Bulldogs premiership player Josh Dunkley.

Hinkley says they threw their hat in the ring for Dunkley but lost out to the Brisbane Lions where he’s since won two flags.

“We tried really hard for Josh, we had a meeting with Josh at Travis Boak’s house out of season by the way, end of the season,” Hinkley said about the Lions co-captain.

“We were in there and trying to get Josh over. (Port list boss) Jason (Cripps) identified good players, that's what I would say, and good character.

“Harry Perryman, Josh Dunkley, Jordan Dawson, good characters.”

Imagine Port today with those three players.