Heading into Port's match-up with Greater Western Sydney at Skoda Stadium on Sunday, the Giants declared the game their Grand Final of 2013 as they chased their first victory of the season.
GWS' upset of the Power in the round 19 at the same venue last year was also repeatedly mentioned in the build-up, a tumultuous day that rocked the South Australian club.
But Hinkley feels his Port side, which had a 5-5 record heading into the game, deserves better treatment.
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"I certainly didn't talk to the boys much about it at all, other than the fact we mentioned it was their Grand Final build-up," Hinkley told reporters after Port's 75-point win.
"But we deserve a bit more respect I reckon.
"We've worked really hard this year and Port Adelaide are not the easybeats.
"We're going to get some losses, but we're going to turn up and we're going to perform and our behaviours each week are going to be the same.
"We're going to win some games, we're going to lose some games, but we deserve some respect."
Hinkley added he felt the pressure being placed on Port leading up to the game had been over-exaggerated.
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But the first-year coach identified the solution – getting off to a good start – and six goals to one in the opening term took care of that.
"Everyone sitting in this (press conference) room said the Giants played well last week (against Geelong) and Port Adelaide came up here last year and there was a big drama that went on at the club and all those things," Hinkley said.
"We don't talk about them, we block them out of our mind, but you have to be mindful that's a pressure that can build up.
"We knew one way to stop that pressure and that was to be at our best in the first quarter and we had a really explosive first quarter today.
"The bye (last week) probably came at a good time for us.
"I think everyone was quite happy to talk up the pressure on Port Adelaide and I'm really proud of the boys today, the way they stood up."
Port is now just percentage outside the top eight, but faces a tough task next week, hosting the Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.
