THE AFL has given permission for Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley to speak with his team via mobile phone during Saturday's clash against North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena.
The Power coach was admitted to hospital on Wednesday night after complaining of severe back pain. Hinkley received medical advice on Thursday, urging him not to travel to Hobart.
Stand-in coach Alan Richardson will take charge of the unbeaten side, with Hinkley remaining in Adelaide to recover from the virus.
Port Adelaide received confirmation from the AFL on Friday morning that Hinkley would be allowed to be in contact with his team during the game.
"We have spoken to Port Adelaide. We have given permission to their coaching staff, if Ken wants to talk to them pre-game and half-time in the rooms," AFL spokesman Patrick Keane told AFL.com.au.
"And if he wants to talk to someone who is in the coaching box, during the course of the game, that will be fine."
However Richardson said Hinkley will try and contain himself.
"He's hoping that he doesn't do that (communicate) but he's the boss and if it comes through, then I'm pretty sure I'll take the call," Richardson laughed.
"Peter Rohde (football manager) will be in the box and he'll have his phone on but we think that's very unlikely [that he'll have to use it]."
Richardson said he had already spoken with Hinkley in hospital and received a tongue-in-cheek text which simply read: "Don't muck it up".
With key defender Jackson Trengove placed on the long-term injury list during the week, the Power sent a shorter-than-normal defence to Tasmania.
Kangaroos' tall forwards Majak Daw, Aaron Black and Drew Petrie have all been in good touch and pose a significant threat in marking situations.
"It may be that Campbell Heath, Cam O'Shea, even (Tom) Jonas will have to play on taller players, certainly Petrie, Daw and Black are big guys.
"They're quality players so we'll have to make sure we get those match-ups right."
Ben Guthrie is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie
