Port Adelaide coach Josh Carr has drawn comparisons to Hawthorn mastermind Sam Mitchell from a premiership teammate who has experienced both coaches first-hand.
Scott Lycett, who recently joined the Power's coaching group as a ruck mentor, said he had quickly recognised similarities between the pair.
Mitchell, following his decorated playing career with Hawthorn and West Coast, joined the Eagles' coaching staff and played a key role in their 2018 premiership triumph, with Lycett an important member of the side.
The ruckman later crossed to Port Adelaide, where he played under Carr, giving him a unique perspective on the coaching styles of both men.
"Josh Carr is a fantastic coach," Lycett said on SEN.
"I had him for one year as a midfield coach during my last year (2023) at the Power, but he's very measured, very approachable.
"He kind of reminds me a bit of Sam Mitchell. Has those relationships with the players, but when it's time to train and switch on, you know you have a job to do."
But the coaching styles aren't the only similarities between Mitchell and Carr.
Both were hard-nosed midfielders during their playing days, and after coaching experiences in Western Australia, returned to their former club, taking over from organisation greats such as Alastair Clarkson and Ken Hinkley.
In Mitchell's first year at Hawthorn, he led the club to eight wins and backed it up with seven victories before making tremendous strides towards a premiership.
With 2026 Carr's first season in charge, the Power secured seven wins, but came close on multiple occasions, which could've seen the victories reach double digits.
"Really exciting, because last year, I watched (Port Adelaide) from afar but lost a lot of close games. You win four or five of those close games, and you're talking about Wildcard," Lycett said.
Port Adelaide will be looking to go heavy at the AFL Draft in the next two seasons, with multiple father-son and academy prospects set to consume the majority of the club's draft picks.
Dougie Cochrane, Zemes Pilot and Louis Salopek are all exciting youngsters, while the inclusion of former first-rounder Luke Pedlar is a 'Moneyball' move.
As the Hawks did heading into 2024, the Power will eventually turn their attention to established players, which could include St Kilda star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.
