Kane Cornes says timing of Hinkley decision 'automatically rules out' Power from 2025 title race

Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes says the coaching handover between Ken Hinkley and assistant coach Josh Carr will most likely take the Power out of premiership contention this season.

Hinkley will see out his final season at the helm of the Power before handing over the reins to Carr for 2026 and beyond.

The Power confirmed the news on Wednesday, with the upcoming season to be Hinkley's last before senior midfield coach and 2004 premiership player Carr takes over.

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Cornes, like most around the league, expected that the handover would occur eventually.

However, because of the timing of the decision, Cornes believes his Power will now be unable to lift the premiership cup this season.

"It automatically rules out Port Adelaide for any shot at the premiership this year. You're clearly not changing coach before the start of the season if you think you're going to win the premiership," he said in a video posted to his Instagram.

"So, don't even consider Port Adelaide fans that they are a chance this year.

"I hope this gives an opportunity to appreciate the coach than Ken has been. I know this will satisfy many disgruntled Port Adelaide fans and now they can look to the future beyond Ken Hinkley."

It's a huge statement from 2004 premiership player Cornes, given the Power finished second on the AFL ladder last year and fell one game short of a grand final.

Cornes also questioned why the club chose to lock in Carr and not explore external options to fill the head coach position.

"My query is why have Port Adelaide shut the door to coaches like John Longmire, perhaps Adam Simpson, perhaps Nathan Buckley [and] who knows about Chris Scott and whether he is gettable or not," he said.

Hinkley is Port Adelaide's longest-serving AFL coach, having led the team since 2013. His tenure has included seven finals campaigns and an overall winning record of 60 per cent — the third highest of any club since his appointment.

Carr is locked in until at least the end of 2028 after signing an initial three-year deal.

It is understood that Carr will oversee the Power's recruitment and list management strategies this season but no other major changes will be made to the club's coaching set-up for the 2025 season.

Hinkley was in full support of the timing of the takeover and the clarity the gradual transition will bring.

"It doesn't jeopardise our program," he told media on Wednesday.

"For all those who think it might jeopardise our program, we have too good a program with great people that would have any damage done to this program this year by this handover. All it will do is only reinforce our commitment [to success]."

Hinkley informed the club he would step down from his post during the off-season. His decision comes after months of speculation about his future with the club.

Hinkley signed a two-year contract extension in 2023 which would have seen him out of contract at the end of 2025.

"When we reappointed Ken in 2023, we were also focused on the future," Port Adelaide chairman David Koch said in a club statement.

"At that time, the club's board challenged CEO Matthew Richardson, GM of football Chris Davies and the football department to ensure we had a viable internal candidate to be our next senior coach, whenever that time came. Good organisations are always planning for the future and ensuring they have the best people."

Koch said the move was a look to the future which still allowed the team one last push for a premiership under Hinkley.

"As is his way, Ken has put the club first in acknowledging we have a coach in waiting in Josh Carr who will be primed to lead the club in 2026," Koch said.

"Ken is as enthusiastic and energised as ever and wants nothing more than for the club to be successful both here and now, and into the future.

"Without question, Ken is the senior coach for this season. Whilst Josh will be our senior coach in 2026, he remains focused on his role in supporting Ken in 2025 and will be perfectly positioned to transition into the senior role at the end of the season.

"Our club is in a very fortunate position to have Ken continue to lead and coach our group this season, and to have Josh Carr, one of the most sought-after assistant coaches in the AFL, well prepared to take over in 2026."

Having faced immense pressure last season, Hinkley said it was the right time to commit to the succession plan.

"I've enjoyed open dialogue with the club for some time now in regards to this being my final season in charge," Hinkley 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."