Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley won't be directly involved in the Power's list management planning, despite his close relationship with in-demand star Zak Butters.
Ahead of Hinkley's Alberton departure, which will see assistant coach Josh Carr step into his role at the cessation of the current season, Hinkley has already handed his role in the club's future planning to his right-hand man.
Carr will work alongside football boss Chris Davies and list manager Jason Cripps to structure the Power's list going forward, hoping to set up a contending squad under the incoming coach.
While Hinkley will have his door open for any advice he can offer, the Port Adelaide coach will take a back seat in the club's list management strategies.
"I'm not involved with the list management stuff as we got through (the succession plan)," he said on Friday.
"That doesn't mean I'm not asked my opinion at different times on different things, but the reality is that that's one of the changes we have going on inside.
"Josh, Chris and Jason are managing the future and what that looks like, and I know they'll be managing it very well. If they want any advice from Ken, then I'll give it to them.
"I'm there for (the players) when they want, as much as they want. That's the way it's always been and hopefully will continue to be in the future."
Arguably the biggest decision facing the Power's list team is the retention of two-time best and fairest Butters, who is already in the sights of Victorian sides despite being contracted to the club until the end of next year.
Butters has garnered reported interest from the Western Bulldogs, Geelong, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Richmond and Essendon, who could make a play for the All-Australian midfielder as early as this year.
Quizzed on his role in Butters' decision making, Hinkley said he'll leave the Power star's "choice" to him.
"He's got more time to go on his contract than when he signed on," Hinkley said.
"I understand the fascination, but the reality is that Zak has always been and will continue to be a bloke who gives his absolute all for this footy club.
"I expect that to go on for as long as he wants it to go on, because he gets that choice."
Butters is said to have been tabled an offer by Port Adelaide that would be " the biggest deal in AFL history".
The Port Adelaide gun has stressed he isn't rushed on making a decision for beyond 2026, wanting to weigh up his opportunities for what shapes as the longest contract of his career.
