Josh Carr, Port Adelaide happy to wait for contract decision from Miles Bergman

Senior-coach-in-waiting Josh Carr has had his say on Miles Bergman’s future as the Port Adelaide star makes the club sweat on whether he will sign a new deal.

Port Adelaide coach-in-waiting Josh Carr says the club is giving Miles Bergman the time he needs as the versatile Victorian weighs up whether to re-sign or return to his home state.

Carr, who was more involved in list management discussions as Ken Hinkley’s successor from next season, reiterated the club wanted the 23-year-old to stay, but that his contract conversations with him were without pressure.

Bergman, unsigned beyond this season, was one of Port’s best players in its 16-point away win over GWS on Saturday night.

The Power has reportedly offered short and long-term deals for him to consider.

“We want Miles at our football club and we’re giving him the time that he needs,” Carr said.

“He showed last time he took his time with this decision (re-signing for two years in late June 2023).

“It’s always nice if he signed ASAP, but there’s no rush if the end result is he stays.”

Miles Bergman is yet to decide whether he will re-sign at Port Adelaide.

A rebounding defender, lockdown backman or wingman in recent seasons, Bergman has attended at least 50 per cent of centre bounces in three of the past four games as part of an increased inside midfield role.

Carr expected that he would continue to play in both the backline and engine room.

“He’s done that (midfield time) in previous years but probably wasn’t quite ready,” he said.

“But he’s grabbed that with both hands this year.”

Bergman’s signature would be a prized one for Port Adelaide, just like Jack Lukosius was from Gold Coast last October.

Carr said he felt for the off-season recruit, whose return timeline from a back issue had been delayed a further fortnight.

Lukosius played the first two matches this year before being sidelined with a fractured kneecap, then hurt his back and was still considered to be three to four games away.

“Last week or the week before he’s had some spasms in his back in the gym and it didn’t improve,” Carr said.

“He’s had a couple of good days so hopefully we’re out the other side with what that looks like.

Bergman has been linked with a return to his home state of Victoria.

“With backs, it’s hard to give a timeline.

“Coming here for his first year, wanting to be around the group and when you get stuck in rehab, it can make it a bit tough.

“Everyone’s supportive of him and making sure we’re looking after him.”

Carr said an improved training session that showed “real intent” helped the Power snap its four-game losing streak.

“You’ve then got that comparison to what we were doing previously and maybe we weren’t up to scratch (during that winless month),” he said.

Senior coach Ken Hinkley missed training on Wednesday due to illness, but was expected to be fine before the team hosted Melbourne on Sunday.

“This time of year there’s a few colds going around and we have a few staff away today,” said Carr, who stepped in for Hinkley’s weekly press conference.