Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is understood to have signed a two-year deal at Alberton, with an official club announcement potentially being made as early as Tuesday.
Hinkley's future has been the top talking point at the Power in 2023, with the club's long-serving coach entering the season without a deal for next year and flagging a call won't be mad until August.
Port Adelaide entered the season likely needing a much-improved campaign to see Hinkley's tenure extended, having missed out on the top eight in 2022 to finish 11th.
The Power now find themselves in reaching distance of the minor premiership with two rounds remaining, with the dominant season seeing Hinkley's chances of a new deal rise at the South Australian club.
With August arriving, an announcement on Hinkley's future is expected soon, with all signs suggesting the former Geelong player will retain his role and continue to lead the Power.
On Monday night, Footy Classified's Caroline Wilson revealed Hinkley and the Power have agreed to a new two-year deal that will see the Port Adelaide coach's reign extended to 13 seasons.
A potential succession plan involving highly-regarded assistant Josh Carr won't be announced as part of Hinkley's extension despite recent murmurs.
Wilson suggests Port Adelaide could make the announcement of Hinkley's re-signing this week.
"Ken Hinkley has signed a two-year deal with Port Adelaide. He will coach them next year and in 2025," Wilson said.
"There will be no announcement of a succession plan with Josh Carr. Although, Josh Carr will be staying with the club and is one day hoping to replace Ken Hinkley.
"My understanding is that the club plans to announce this in the next 48 hours. My best guess will be that there's an announcement at Alberton as early as (Tuesday) afternoon."
Exclusive: Caroline Wilson reports Ken Hinkley has signed a two-year contract extension with Port Adelaide while also playing a 'big role' in keeping Josh Carr at the club.#9FootyClassified | Channel 9 📺 pic.twitter.com/4MqrvIaYZi
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) August 14, 2023
The retention of Carr will go a long way for the Power for both their short-term and long-term plans, with the Port Adelaide premiership player seen as an integral piece in their success this season.
Carr was flagged as a target for Richmond in their coaching search, with the 43-year-old turning down the chance to potentially lead the Tigers in favour of remaining at the Power.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday after his side's win over GWS, Hinkley addressed questions on Carr's future and whether a potential succession plan could be implemented at Alberton. Hinkley said there were a number of hurdles before the club could confirm any sort of handover.
The Port Adelaide coach was quick to praise Carr's role at the club, believing his assistant will be a senior coach in the future.
"To have a succession plan you have got to have other things in place for a start," Hinkley said. "I'd imagine there'd be a piece that needs to get done before anything like that happens.
"Everyone who thinks that Josh is going on a promise at Port Adelaide, they don't know Josh Carr well enough. He's got a commitment to us and I think he has showed that that's real.
"He will be a senior coach one day. I would hope, and I do hope, one day it is at Port Adelaide."
The Power will continue their premiership tilt this weekend when they play Fremantle.
