Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has dismissed stinging criticism about his future from a club legend as largely irrelevant.
Power great Warren Tredrea has labelled Hinkley's future beyond this year as untenable and cited a disconnect between the club and its fans.
Hinkley is off-contract at the end of the season, his 11th at the helm of Port.
"I appreciate opinions, that's all I can do with them - they are opinions and I respect some opinions and I don't respect all opinions," Hinkley told reporters on Friday.
"But the reality is I have got a job to do right now.
"We have just played round three. The competition is so on and so alive I can't get distracted by that.
"The club has been incredibly strong with the way we have handled this situation."
Port president David Koch and senior players including Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines have publicly supported Hinkley.
Hinkley and club hierarchy have put off any contract talks until at least August.
"We all get that this is going to be topical through the season," Hinkley said.
"And I am more than comfortable with it being topical because I get that that is the job you (media) have to do.
"But the reality is I have got a job to do myself and I will do that as well as I can."
Hinkley noted Tredrea, Port's all-time leading goalkicker and only AFL premiership captain, is now a prominent media identity.
"I appreciate the fact that they have got opinions, be that Warren or anyone else in the media," Hinkley said.
"You people (media) ... I respect the fact that you work in the media and you have to have opinions."
Asked about Tredrea's belief of a disconnect with supporters, Hinkley replied: "I can't break down someone else's thoughts so you need to ask them."
And he said public support from players was not surprising.
"The fact that my players care is really good for me, I suppose, in some ways," he said.
"But the reality is I need to focus on footy, that is what I need to focus on, getting them to play their absolute best football.
"And together ... we're going to give a real good account of ourselves for the rest of the season and we will see where it takes us.
"But you would expect nothing less ... would you expect the players to come out and say that they want me out?
"I don't think so. I think that is a ridiculous thing to look for.
"The reality is we work together really well, we have got a great relationship, our whole club is really connected.
"We have got nothing to worry about other than getting our job done this week."
Port, with one win and two losses, play Sydney at the SCG on Saturday night.
