PORT ADELAIDE midfield coach Jarrad Schofield will depart the club to take up a more senior coaching opportunity.

A premiership player with Port Adelaide in 2004, Schofield returned to Alberton at the end of 2018 as an assistant coach, having guided WAFL side Subiaco to three premierships and five grand finals in the previous six years.

Schofield played 206 AFL games including 131 with Port Adelaide between 1999 and 2004, and he says Alberton will always be special to him.

“I will forever be grateful for the opportunity I was given to come back to Port Adelaide - a club where I had strong relationships and such fond memories,” he said.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club and it has been incredible to start my AFL coaching journey here and learn from some outstanding people.

“This club will always mean a lot to me and it is with a heavy heart that I’m leaving, but I see this as a step in my professional development towards fulfilling my aspiration of being a senior coach.”

Port Adelaide General Manager – Football, Chris Davies says the club was disappointed to lose Schofield but understood his decision.

“The role of an assistant coach is extremely demanding and Jarrad has worked tirelessly for our club. His football knowledge and insight has been highly valuable in our coaching group,” Davies said.

“However, we appreciate his desire to continue to develop himself as a coach and increase the breadth of his experience at another club.

“We wish him well with the next stage of his coaching journey.”