PORT ADELAIDE’s 2021 coaching panel is taking shape with football boss Chris Davies revealing Nathan Bassett has recommitted to the club.
Bassett arrived at Alberton in 2015 after a stint at Essendon and two Premierships while coaching Norwood in the SANFL.
The former Adelaide Crow initially worked with the backline, but for the last two years has been forwards coach.
He and the other assistant coaches were acknowledged by senior coach Ken Hinkley when he was named the Monjon Allan Jeans Senior Coach of the Year for 2020 on Tuesday night.
Hinkley was voted in by 150 of his coaching peers, marking the second time he has claimed the award after also picking it up in his first year at Port in 2013.
“His first win would have been mainly around the fact he came into a club which was struggling and had really taken the group forward,” General Manager – Football, Chris Davies said on Wednesday.
“I think this one is more acknowledgement that he’s been able to evolve and evolve a group as well.
“That’s a pretty significant tick for a coach, the ability to change the way you do things, change the group over time and get something out of them again.
“It’s also fantastic recognition for the people around Ken and I know he has acknowledged them.
“It’s a really significant honour to be recognised by his peers and I’m sure it’s something that will have pride of place but it doesn’t in any way take away from the fact I know he’s bitterly disappointed to not be able to be closer to (playing in the Grand Final) this weekend.”
Port on Wednesday announced development coach Geoff Morris would not be returning to the club in 2021 as the cut to the AFL’s soft cap takes effect.
And while Bassett’s return was confirmed, Davies explained that senior assistant Michael Voss was still uncontracted but had been in talks with the club.
“Clearly Michael has done some really good work here at Port Adelaide over time and has positioned himself well for the next senior coaching role that comes up,” Davies said.
“We’re working through Michael’s situation at the moment but that does have a level of complexity around it on the basis that he’s also got this senior coaching dream that we need to work through as well.”
Davies was full of praise for the club’s coaching set-up, saying any one of its coaches could step up to a senior role.
“I think our assistant coaching panel are a really good group of guys,” he said.
“Brett Montgomery has now done a job for over ten years at various clubs, all of which have had a level of success or clear improvement.
“I think Monty would have to be in a discussion.
“I’m not looking at selling them, other than to say when you reflect back on Ken’s winning of that award that the people he’s got around him at the moment make a difference.
“Monty, Schoey (Jarrad Schofield) and Nathan Bassett have all done a really good job this year.”
