It's been a while since I've been here, at Alberton, at the club I love.

I didn't think I'd be back here for a while and was certainly unsure about how it would feel to walk through the front doors at Port Adelaide HQ.

But from the moment I walked back into the club today, and saw guys like Russell Ebert and Tim Ginever - legends of this club - and plenty of old faces from my playing days, I knew I was back where I belong.

Taking a job coaching the Magpies in the SANFL isn't something I do lightly.
When Ken Hinkley first spoke to me about the gig, I knew it carried plenty of responsibility with it.

First, I've got big shoes to fill - Garry Hocking is a good mate and mentor of mine, and he's done a really great job in charge these last two seasons.

Second, I've got nearly 150 years of heritage to honour. All those premierships, the star players, the legends of footy in this state that have worn the black and white jumper need to be done justice.

Finally, I need to prove that I'm in this game for the right reasons, so I want you to be the first to know how I plan to coach at our club.

I'm about hard, ruthless footy - Port Adelaide footy - where players put their head over the ball and put in the effort and intensity to win games.
Winning is my first, second and third priority. I love winning, I always have, and know how much success means at Port Adelaide.

Coaches like Choco and Phil Walsh taught me about the importance of tasting success, and keeping the winning culture Buddha's worked hard to build is the best thing for our player development.

It's the best thing for our club.

My commitment to our supporters is to be a ruthless coach in the traditional Port Adelaide fashion. I demand effort and intensity, but I also give back what I get - if our players do the right thing by our jumper, I'll do the right thing by them.

Being back is really exciting.

Before signing off, I just wanted to say thanks, in writing, for the way you treated the Cornes family during Kane's 300th game send-off. I felt really welcome that day and was amazed at the support I got from the Port people as I walked around the oval.

To see the huge support you gave Kane that day really shows how great our fans are.

It’s great to be back - I’ll see you at the club soon.

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