Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has expressed his delight in assistant Josh Carr's decision to remain at Alberton Oval for the future while providing an update on his own plans for 2024 and beyond amid reports of a potential succession plan involving the Power coaching pair.
Hinkley remains unsigned for next season, however talks between the long-serving senior coach and the South Australian club have commenced this month.
Year-long, both Hinkley and key figures at the Power have flagged they've held off contract talks until August, with this month's arrival seeing both parties come to the table.
While only minor, discussions in regard to Hinkley's future are underway as the Power pursue a top-two finish in 2023 - an astounding result following their 11th-place finish last year.
While no agreement or call has been made yet, Hinkley revealed after the club's 51-point win over GWS on Sunday that negotiations are underway, with an outcome unlikely to be far away.
"We've been talking, that's the great part. We have had some initial chats and we will progress that," Hinkley told reporters.
"I couldn't imagine our progress would take a long time. I think it's just a matter of making sure we have got everything in place that we need to, and we will move forward with that.
"I have said to myself plenty of times I would love to be around, love to be a part of Port Adelaide. They've been an incredible support to me, hopefully that continues."
The curiosity surrounding Hinkley's future was heightened over the weekend as murmurs suggested the Power's senior coach could be involved in a deal that would see the reins handed down to Carr sometime in the coming years.
Last week Carr notified Richmond he would not take part in the Tigers' coaching search despite being a man of interest to the Punt Road club.
Carr's decision to remain at Port Adelaide is "a great result" for Hinkley, who has backed his deputy to one day step into a top coaching role in the AFL.
"It's a great result for us as a football club," the Power coach said of Carr's call.
"He's going to be an outstanding coach. What he's done now is make a decision to improve himself and better himself with an exciting future ahead. He's been a really important part of what we've been able to do this year. I hope that he continues to build.ย
"100% one day Josh Car will be a (senior) coach."
Questioned on reports of a potential succession that would see Carr lead the club in the future, Hinkley said it would be hard to see that signed off without a senior coach locked in for next season.
While echoing his support for Carr as a future senior coach, Hinkley said he could see the former Port Adelaide and Fremantle player flourish in his own role one day.
"To have a succession plan you have got to have other things in place for a start," Hinkley said. "I'd imagine there'd be a piece that needs to get done before anything like that happens.
"Everyone who thinks that Josh is going on a promise at Port Adelaide, they don't know Josh Carr well enough. He's got a commitment to us and I think he has showed that that's real.
"He will be a senior coach one day. I would hope, and I do hope, one day it is at Port Adelaide."
Port Adelaide remains within reaching distance of the minor premiership but will be relying on several other matches to work in their favour while they secure a large percentage boost over the final two weeks of the season.
Hinkley's men face Fremantle at Optus Stadium this Sunday before their campaign-concluding clash with Richmond in Round 24.
The Power, who have recorded 15 wins from 21 matches, have booked themselves a top-four finish for finals.
