AFL 2025 Silly Season

[Booney]

Port Adelaide has completed its 2026 AFL coaching panel, led by senior coach Josh Carr.

Hamish Hartlett has been elevated to assistant coach to manage stoppage, contest and opposition analysis, Darren Reeves will assume responsibility for the forwards, senior assistant Stuart Dew will take the midfield, and Luke Webster will lead the backline.

Jacob Surjan has been added as a development coach and will lead the SANFL side, Cam Sutcliffe will continue in his role as development coach alongside Mitch Clisby, while coaching director Andy Collins will support the entire group. Matthew Lobbe also remains in his current position as head of development.

Previously, Surjan has served as SANFL development manager and inaugural academy coach at Port Adelaide before progressing into an AFL development coaching role for three seasons between 2015 and 2017.

In 2018, he joined North Adelaide as the coach of the reserves side, before a promotion to head coach of the seniors in 2020, going on to guide the group to two grand finals.

His AFL playing career spanned almost a decade, with the small defender playing 121 games for the Power between 2004 and 2012.

Port Adelaide CEO Matthew Richardson was pleased to confirm the final coaching structure.

“We are pleased to have finalised the coaching team around Josh Carr in preparation for the 2026 season, which gets underway next week when this group come together for the first time,” Mr Richardson said.

“We have a diverse group with significant experience which will lead and drive the AFL and SANFL programs.

“With the late change in the AFL panel, Darren Reeves will take ownership of the forwards and Hamish Hartlett will elevate into the important contest, stoppage and opposition role supporting Stuart Dew and the midfield.

“This created an opportunity with the SANFL program, and we are pleased to welcome Jacob Surjan back to the club to lead this important program. Jacob has been a successful SANFL coach leading North Adelaide to two grand finals and will bring great energy and passion for the SANFL program and the development of our players.”

Port Adelaide’s first to fourth year players commence pre-season on November 10, with the entire squad returning two weeks later.

Port Adelaide 2026 AFL coaching panel
Josh Carr – senior coach
Andy Collins – director of coaching
Stuart Dew – senior assistant coach (midfield)
Luke Webster – assistant coach (defenders)
Darren Reeves – assistant coach (forwards)
Hamish Hartlett – assistant coach (contest, stoppage, opposition)
Matthew Lobbe – head of development
Mitch Clisby – development coach (forwards)
Cam Sutcliffe – development coach (defenders)
Jacob Surjan – development coach (midfield) and SANFL coach

[wenchbarwer]

Geez, your mob were going so well in the offseason until this point...

[amber_fluid]

Assistant coach for forwards and development coach for forwards?
Please tell me the difference?

[mots02]

This is the announcement.

Boon was right, it’s big.

[Brodlach]

This is the announcement.

Boon was right, it’s big.

As in the number of words?

[amber_fluid]

This is the announcement.

Boon was right, it’s big.

As in the number of words?

Nah the numbers of coaches

[gadj1976]

Assistant coach for forwards and development coach for forwards?
Please tell me the difference?

I thought the same thing. I assume one is the league and one is the ressies?

[The Bedge]

Assistant coach for forwards and development coach for forwards?
Please tell me the difference?

Would think one would hone and develop forward craft, the other would implement forward structure and manage game day operation.

[amber_fluid]

Assistant coach for forwards and development coach for forwards?
Please tell me the difference?

Would think one would hone and develop forward craft, the other would implement forward structure and manage game day operation.

Come again?

Same thing which could be done by one coach surely?
I assume all clubs are the same here though

[Dutchy]

Hamish Hartlett – assistant coach (contest, stoppage, opposition)

The appointment further strengthens Josh Carr’s coaching structure, with Reeves taking responsibility for stoppage work, contest coaching, and opposition analysis in 2026.

[Lightning McQueen]

Assistant coach for forwards and development coach for forwards?
Please tell me the difference?

One assists and the other develops.

[Lightning McQueen]

Geez, your mob were going so well in the offseason until this point...

In who's eyes?

[wenchbarwer]

Geez, your mob were going so well in the offseason until this point...

In who's eyes?

Booney's

[Brodlach]

Geez, your mob were going so well in the offseason until this point...

In who's eyes?

Booney's

What do you mean this off season then?

[amber_fluid]

Assistant coach for forwards and development coach for forwards?
Please tell me the difference?

One assists and the other develops.

Thank you
I can sleep now

[Lightning McQueen]

Assistant coach for forwards and development coach for forwards?
Please tell me the difference?

One assists and the other develops.

Thank you
I can sleep now

I'm good like that, dad always called me "an ideas man".

[dedja]

Assistant coach for forwards and development coach for forwards?
Please tell me the difference?

One assists and the other develops.

Thank you
I can sleep now

I'm good like that, dad always called me "an ideas man".

A Bullshit artist

https://youtu.be/tl4VD8uvgec?si=G06uguZCWQwvi5Zg

[wenchbarwer]

Assistant coach for forwards and development coach for forwards?
Please tell me the difference?

One assists and the other develops.

Thank you
I can sleep now

I'm good like that, dad always called me "an ideas man".

What are you like at digging holes?

[Lightning McQueen]

What are you like at digging holes?

I'm always digging holes for myself

[wenchbarwer]

What are you like at digging holes?

I'm always digging holes for myself