The Suns (14-7), yet to play finals since their 2011 admission to the competition, could have effectively sealed their berth with victory against GWS (15-7) on Saturday.
They were blown away in a 35-point loss that leaves Hardwick's men likely needing at least one win from their two-game final round against Port Adelaide and Essendon next week.
Power coach Hinkley will leave his post after 13 seasons, with Friday at Adelaide Oval his swan song.
It's a venue the Suns are winless at in all 12 visits, including a 61-point hiding from the Crows earlier this year.
Gold Coast then back up against Essendon on the following Wednesday (August 27) at home in a game that could determine the Suns' finals fate.
Hardwick, who said Saturday's loss was "as poor as we've played in a long period of time", is confident it won't come to that.
"AFL, it tests you every week," he said of the theatre that awaits them in Adelaide.
"We've overcome some great challenges, obstacles this year.
"The only way is not going around, it's going straight through them.
"Kenny's last game, that's great … Adelaide Oval hasn't been a happy hunting ground.
"Let's get two things done. There's no better place to play ... hostile environment and play your best footy."
The coach hopes young midfield enforcer Bailey Humphrey (knee) will return in Adelaide and provide assistance to star pair Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson.
"Sometimes you have some guys down, but not the amount we had today," Hardwick said.
