Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Port Adelaide coach Josh Carr is calm about the prospect of Ken Hinkley targeting Power players after becoming the inaugural coach of the Tasmania Devils. Hinkley can use his knowledge of the club when Tasmania begins building its playing list ahead of its 2028 AFL entry.
The Tasmania Devils can recruit one uncontracted player from each rival club under their expansion concessions. Mitch Georgiades and Miles Bergman will both reach the end of their current Port Adelaide deals after the 2027 season.
More AFL coverage is available in Isaac Quaynor Booing Draws Mitch Brown Criticism of Adelaide Crows Response.
Josh Carr Accepts Recruitment Threat
Ken Hinkley coached Port Adelaide from 2013 until 2025 and knows the playing group better than most rival coaches. However, Josh Carr said the Tasmania Devils would simply be following the same recruitment process as every other AFL club.
"He's the same as every other opposition coach," Josh Carr said.
"You're going to be exploring all options and trying to bring people into your football club, so I wouldn't be expecting anything less."
Port Adelaide also faces uncertainty around injured midfielder Zak Butters, who is attracting interest from clubs across the competition as he considers his future beyond this season.
Brisbane Lions Clash Shapes Wildcard Hopes
Port Adelaide must beat the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday to remain in the wildcard race. The Power sit 15th with a 6-12 record, while the Brisbane Lions have won six straight matches to reach 12-6.
Mitch Georgiades and Jason Horne-Francis return for Port Adelaide, while the Brisbane Lions have selected an unchanged side. Oscar Allen remains outside the team despite returning to fitness.
Port Adelaide has lost close matches against the Sydney Swans, West Coast Eagles, Adelaide Crows and Hawthorn, leaving its win-loss record worse than its percentage of 99.3 suggests.
"If you look at expected score, which we all do these days, Port should have won 11 games and lost seven," Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
Official fixtures and ladder updates are available through the AFL website.