Four-time All-Australian Garry Hocking has been confirmed as the 38th senior coach of the Port Adelaide Football Club in South Australian football.

He takes over at a time of exciting change for the club after its recent agreement with the South Australian Football Commission to allow its AFL list to play solely for the club’s SANFL team when not selected for duties at the elite level.

The 44-year old will immediately take charge of the club’s state league operation, which will retain its heritage ‘Magpies’ brand and play in the traditional black and white ‘prison bar’ jumper.

Hocking takes over the role from previous incumbent Ken McGregor, who declined the club’s offer of a full-time role as the coach of the club’s new SANFL Academy team.

Hocking joined Port Adelaide as a forward-line assistant coach in 2010 and became the club’s AFL senior coach in a caretaker capacity following Matthew Primus’s departure late in the 2012 season.

As one of the toughest and most highly decorated competitors in the AFL during his playing career, Hocking’s appointment to the coveted role will ensure Port Adelaide remains a competitive force in the SANFL while maintaining a smooth transition of AFL-listed players between the club’s two teams each week.

Port Adelaide chief executive officer Keith Thomas says Hocking’s appointment as the club’s SANFL senior coach will allow the club to remain strong and fiercely competitive in the state league while delivering a strong development program for its AFL players.

“Garry has been a core part of our football department since 2010,” says Mr Thomas.

“It was crucial when selecting the Magpies senior coach that we had someone with an acute understanding of our AFL football program and strategy who could develop players and teach a winning culture.

“But it was equally important to have a coach who is hungry to win because that is what every single Port Adelaide supporter expects from this club – be it at AFL or SANFL level.

“‘Buddha’ has all those qualities. He has the strength and experience to handle the pressure of coaching a team in his own right to success, whilst managing the needs of our AFL list.

“People outside of SA don’t realise how important the Magpies and our traditional guernsey are to our supporters, and to footy in this state, so we needed to make sure we got the balance right with our SANFL senior coach appointment.”

Hocking will work closely with AFL senior coach Ken Hinkley and the club’s director of coaching and strategy Alan Richardson as part of a fully integrated football department.

He will be aided on game day by the club’s current development coaches Daniel Healy and Stuart Cochrane.

Hocking is looking forward to the opportunity to guide the Magpies back to the top of the SANFL while managing the development of Port Adelaide’s AFL players.

“I really enjoy developing young talent and that’s something that I’m excited about being able to do again,” says Hocking.

“I jumped at the chance when Ken Hinkley and Alan Richardson came to me and asked me to take on the role.

“Winning is important to this football club – whatever level it’s at – and I believe on of the best ways to develop talent is to introduce them to a winning culture.

“Successful clubs like Hawthorn and Geelong have both been supported by successful teams in the VFL.

“The future is really exciting for Port Adelaide and I want to make sure we have the best SANFL program to deliver success for our whole club.”

The club expects to confirm the rest of its SANFL playing list and its SANFL Academy coach by the end of the month.

Garry Hocking playing and coaching record
DOB: 8 October 1968 (44 years)
274 VFL/AFL games, 243 goals for Geelong (1987-2001)

Geelong Best and Fariest 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996
All-Australian 1991, 1994, 1994, 1996
Geelong Captain 1995, 1999
Geelong Team of the Century
Represented Victoria (8 games, 10 goals)
AFL Hall of Fame induction 2008
Geelong Team of the Century (Ruck Rover)

Assistant coach, North Ballarat (2002)
Western Jets senior coach (2003)
Peel Thunder senior coach (2004-2005)
Geelong Falcons senior coach (2006-2009)
Port Adelaide development coach (2010)
Port Adelaide forwards coach (2011-August 2012, October 2012-2013)
36th Port Adelaide senior coach – 4 games (Aug-Oct 2012)
38th Port Adelaide senior coach in South Australian football (current)