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Caroline Wilson is confident that Port Adelaide has locked in their next senior coach, with current assistant Josh Carr to be appointed at the end of next season.
Wilson claims the Power has struck up a “handshake agreement” that would see Carr take over from current coach Ken Hinkley from 2026 onwards.
It comes after Hinkley had his contract extended during the 2023 season, which saw Port Adelaide finish in the top four, but exit out of the finals in straight sets.
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Carr, who was a 2004 premiership player for the Power, has been an assistant coach at his former club since 2023.
“David Koch and Ken Hinkley spoke about something this weekend which I now completely accept is a handshake agreement with Josh Carr,” Wilson confirmed on Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night.
“All things being equal, Ken Hinkley will coach this year, he will coach next year and then he’ll stand aside for Josh Carr.”
Power president David Koch has applauded Hinkley’s graciousness during the process of finding his successor.
“I think Ken’s really supportive of Josh developing into a senior coach. Ken has publicly said he’d loved to see him as the senior coach of Port Adelaide,” Koch said on ABC Radio.
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Hinkley himself noted how impressive Carr’s coaching ability is, throwing his support behind him to take over his role when the time comes.
“I don’t know whether Josh will definitely be the next man at Port Adelaide, because that’s not a decision for me,” Hinkley said on 3AW Radio.
“But Josh is going to be a senior coach at some point. I’d love it to be at Port Adelaide.”
Hinkley also denied there was any tension towards Carr if conversations are taking place to replace the current leader.
”I’m doing everything I can to help Josh get that job,” he said.
Wilson explained that the Power, who are still in the premiership window, have been preparing for the long term success of the club to ensure Carr’s step into the role is seamless.
“The club is working very closely with Josh Carr off field. They have Rob Mason working with the coaches as a consultant, but specifically with Josh,” she said.
“He didn’t go for the Richmond (senior coaching) job last year, largely because it was pointed out to him, this handshake agreement, that the Port Adelaide job would be available to him when he was ready.
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“He wasn’t ready last year, he’s not ready now. The view is, they’re trying to make him ready for the end of 2025.”
Port Adelaide are sitting in sixth on the AFL ladder, with three wins and a loss to their name.
They face Fremantle on Saturday night.
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