The Ken Hinkley-Josh Carr succession plan: All the latest from Port Adelaide as announcement looms

Port Adelaide young gun Jackson Mead says the news Josh Carr might soon be announced as the club’s next coach was ‘a bit of a surprise’. But he only had good things to say.

Port Adelaide midfielder Jackson Mead has endorsed Josh Carr as a future senior coach but will not seek clarity about the club’s handover plan.

Mead described The Advertiser’s report that Carr would be announced as Ken Hinkley’s successor as “a bit of a surprise”, saying “nothing got mentioned throughout the week”.

The Power is expected to make an announcement within days, potentially in the lead-up to its season launch and hall of fame night on Friday.

Mead said Port’s coaching situation was not raised during discussions with the club when he re-signed in July until the end of 2026.

Josh Carr during training at Alberton. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

“I hadn’t heard of any report coming into the week,” Mead told reporters on Saturday.

“It was a bit of a surprise to me.

“Ken’s our coach at the time, he’s really excited and optimistic about the year ahead, as the players are as well.

“We’ve got full faith in the coaches ... to best prepare us for this year.”

Mead said Carr, who had overseen the Power’s on-ball group since returning from Fremantle at the end of 2022, was a terrific coach and great with the players.

“His knowledge around stoppage and game plan, I think he’s one of the best at what he does,” he said.

Hinkley and Power captain Connor Rozee will speak at the club’s family day on Saturday afternoon.

Originally published as The Ken Hinkley-Josh Carr succession plan: All the latest from Port Adelaide as announcement looms