AFL: Port Adelaide announce Ken Hinkley succession plan

Port Adelaide have confirmed that Josh Carr will take over from Ken Hinkley as the club’s AFL coach at the end of the 2025 season.

Reports of a looming succession plan had been swirling for some time before the Power made the news official on Wednesday morning.

According to the club, Carr will take over on a three-year deal regardless of how the team fares in Hinkley’s 13th season at the helm.

The 2004 premiership player has served two stints as an assistant at Port Adelaide since 2011, along with a spell at Fremantle, while he coached North Adelaide to the SANFL flag in 2018.

Speaking to the press, Hinkley substantiated reports that there had been regular discussions throughout the pre-season concerning his future.

“I’ve enjoyed open dialogue with the club for some time now in regards to this being my final season in charge,” he said.

“I, along with our leaders at the club, always have an eye for the future, and as I’ve been saying for the last year, Josh Carr is absolutely the best person to take over as senior coach at the right time.

“I still have a burning desire to lead this club in 2025. I’m fresh and recharged and have the privilege of leading a very driven playing and coaching group.

“But come the end of the season, it will be time to hand the baton to Josh who would have experienced a further 12 months’ growth as a senior assistant.

“Without question, Josh will be ready to coach in his own right.”

Hinkley will leave the Power as the club’s longest-serving AFL coach, having overtaken Mark Williams’ tally of 274 games during the 2024 season.

Since taking the reins in 2012 after the sacking of Matthew Primus, the former Fitzroy and Geelong player has guided Port Adelaide to seven finals appearances in 12 seasons.

A premiership has eluded Hinkley, however, with the club failing to make an AFL Grand Final appearance despite finishing top four in four of the past five seasons.

News of the Power’s succession plan has affected their outright odds for the 2025 AFL Premiership campaign, with online bookmakers pushing their premiership price out from $13 to $18.

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