Ben Rutten appointed new Port Adelaide football boss

Port Adelaide has locked in a former Crows great to take the reins as its new football boss, with Ben Rutten to return to South Australia to take on the role.

Former Essendon senior coach and ex-Adelaide player Ben Rutten has been appointed as Port Adelaide’s new footy boss.

The Power had been on the look out for a new head of football after Chris Davies was poached by Carlton at the end of the season.

After what the Power said was a “thorough process”, Port have lured Rutten to Alberton. ‘

An All-Australian in his 229-game playing career with the Crows, Rutten was an assistant coach at Richmond before becoming a senior coach at the Bombers across 2021 and 2022.

After leaving the Bombers he returned to Richmond in 2023, as the Tigers head of coaching and development.

Ben Rutten during his time at Richmond with David Teague. Picture: Michael Klein

And breaking through an Ollie Wines tackle in 2013.

Rutten said he was excited to return to South Australia and be a part of the Power’s new era under Josh Carr.

“I’m very excited to be joining Port Adelaide Football Club, especially at the beginning of a new era at Alberton,” Rutten said.

“Speaking with Matthew Richardson and Josh Carr about the opportunity, it became clear very quickly that I felt aligned with both the role and the club.

“Starting a new journey, with a new coaching group and plenty of new staff, it’s an exciting opportunity to grow together and build something special.

“I feel like I can contribute positively to Port Adelaide, especially considering the stage that the club is in and the capable group of people that have been brought together.

“It’s really important to me to support the coaches and the club in any way I can, and to have a wholistic approach to the AFL, AFLW and SANFL programs.

“I’m very much looking forward to being part of leading this club into 2026 and beyond.”

Power chief executive Matthew Richardson said the club was very pleased to land Rutten for the important role.

Ben Rutten had a stint in charge of Essendon. Picture: Michael Klein

Port Adelaide CEO Matthew Richardson congratulated Rutten on his appointment.

“We’re delighted to welcome Ben Rutten to the Port Adelaide Football Club as our General Manager of Football,” he said.

“We undertook a thorough process to target and identify the right person for our program, and Ben emerged as the standout candidate who best complements our group and the direction we’re heading.

“The significant changes we’ve made over the last couple of months with the combined experience and capability we’ve compiled across our football department allowed us to think differently about this role.

“Ben is a highly credentialed football person – a former player, assistant coach, and AFL senior coach – who will provide great leadership and support right across our club. He has had experience in successful programs and understands what an elite environment looks like.

“What particularly impressed us is Ben’s focus on continual learning and development and his desire to broaden his career beyond coaching, complementing his unique skills and experience to move into football administration. His most recent role as head of coaching and development at Richmond demonstrated exactly the kind of strategic football leadership we were seeking.

“Ben is a person of great character, and we look forward to welcoming him and his family to the Port Adelaide Football Club.”

Originally published as Ben Rutten appointed new Port Adelaide football boss