Garry Hocking to lead Port Adelaide's SANFL reserves team next year

PORT Adelaide has named Garry Hocking as its first AFL-minded "Magpies" coach this afternoon.

PORT Adelaide has named Garry Hocking as its first AFL-minded "Magpies" coach this afternoon.

The Power will place its "reserves" in the new-look SANFL next year in place of the traditional "Magpies".

The 44-year-old Power assistant coach - who is replacing Ken McGregor - will take up the role immediately.

Hocking made Alberton his home in 2010, joining the Power as a forward-line assistant coach.

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Power CEO Keith Thomas said the four-time All-Australian would use his experience to teach a "winning culture" to the reserves squad.

"Garry has been a core part of our football department since 2010," Thomas said. "It was crucial when selecting the Magpies senior coach that we had someone with an acute understanding of our AFL football program.
 
"But it was equally important to have a coach who is hungry to win."

Hocking briefly became caretaker at the Power after former coach Matthew Primus stepped down late last year.

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It was believed that either Hocking or Tyson Edwards would be handed the coaching task.

McGregor will seek to stay in the SANFL where he is a frontrunner for the coaching vacancy at Glenelg. He also could emerge as a development coach at the Adelaide Football Club that will also have a "Crows" reserves in the SANFL league competition next year.

Adelaide has handed responsibility for its reserves system to former North Adelaide player Heath Younie.