Power chief’s ‘no’ to AFL job

PORT Adelaide list boss Chris Davies has declined the AFL’s overtures as its next football boss as the league searches for a replacement for new Essendon coach Brad Scott.

The league is working to fill the breach ahead of a possible talent drain that could see executive football boss Andrew Dillon become the new AFL CEO as Essendon considers Travis Auld to run its club.

Davies was the preferred candidate as the league’s football boss last year when Steve Hocking resigned before the league split the role between ex-Roos coach Scott and Kangaroos official Laura Kane.

But Davies has made clear to the league he will remain at Port Adelaide for the foreseeable future as the Power prepare for a significant year.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley enters the last year of his contract, likely needing to win finals to extend his stay as club favourite Josh Carr returns as a senior assistant.

The Power will be desperate to get off to a hot start to the season to allow Hinkley to control his own destiny and avoid the kind of mid-season move that saw Leon Cameron depart GWS.

So former first-class cricketer Davies will remain at Port Adelaide despite having the combination of man management, football nous and consultation skills that are required in that position.

Sacked St Kilda coach Brett Ratten is seen across the industry as a figure who could easily fill that position after impressing in his time on the AFL’s Competition Committee.

He joined that committee in July last year and is seen to have strong views on the game’s trends, including his impassioned push for the league to continue its crackdown on umpire abuse given his experiences at local level.

He also has industry-wide respect but having been handed a six-month payout by St Kilda it is not known if he is interested.

Geelong football boss Simon Lloyd would have to be a contender following Steve Hocking’s path from Cats football boss to AFL football boss, while MRO boss Michael Christian also has the skill set.

Club football bosses Peter Bell (Fremantle) and Alan Richardson (Melbourne) would also have to be considered.

The league is reportedly keen to bring in young talent including Jordan Lewis and Jimmy Bartel. But the league will be keen to ensure their new football boss has enough experience with leadership and management to allow them to run a department rather than just football nous.