Two-time SANFL premiership coach Darren Reeves says he’s ecstatic to join Port Adelaide as an assistant coach for 2026. 

Reeves led Glenelg to back-to-back flags in his first two years in charge, with the respected coach bringing impressive credentials to Alberton. 

Speaking with the Adelaide media on Tuesday, Reeves discussed his decision to take on the role, his gratitude for his time at Glenelg, and what he sees for the future of Port Adelaide. 

Reeves on his new role 
“It's been a whirlwind couple of days. I caught up with Josh (Carr) and Matty Richardson on Friday and went through (the facility), so it's been round and round in circles over the last couple of days, but I’m absolutely ecstatic to be here. Can't wait to get to work with Josh and the other coaches and the playing group. It's an exciting playing group, and I look forward to what 2026 brings. 

“Josh put forward a role that he saw working for them and for me, and a role that they felt I could play a big part in. I was just really thrilled with the opportunity that was presented.” 

Reeves on the process 
“(The Glenelg contract extension) was an ongoing process for a period of time. So it wasn't something that was new. The timing probably wasn't ideal but I can't be more blessed with the time I had at Glenelg. They’ve been fantastic for me over the last three years. It’s certainly a difficult decision to leave the footy club because we’ve been able to have great success over the last couple of years, and I've got great relationships with the players and the staff of the football club. But sometimes opportunities come up that you don't see coming, and certainly that happened in this case. But I can't be more grateful for my time at Glenelg. 

“I think Josh and the club were working through where they needed to go, to be honest, with their coaching group. And obviously there's been a big change with Josh coming in and a new coaching group coming in, a lot of new staff coming in. So they were working through their process and working out what they needed and who worked for them, and who was going to be the best fit in these roles for them. And I know they're still working through that process at the moment. When that role became obvious, that's when the discussions really took place.” 

Reeves on his coaching journey 
“Ten years ago, I was coaching in the Barossa League and 10 years later, I’ve been through the under 18 program, reserves program at Centrals and then North Adelaide. And then really blessed to get the opportunity at Glenelg at the end of 2022. And the last couple of years at Glenelg, they've gone by quickly, but it's been great fun, and I had some great times there, and learned a lot over that journey. I’ve been fortunate to coach some really good players and work with some really good people and really good coaches and have been able to learn from a lot of different people. So I feel like I'm ready to go at this next level.” 

Reeves on his strengths as a coach  
“I think it's around relationships and being able to connect with people. Everyone's different, so being able to understand everyone's strengths and areas they need some help in. I think coaching is all about that relationship, connection piece, and it's probably been something I’ve been pretty strong in.” 

Reeves on his relationship with Josh Carr 
“I hadn't met Josh up until this process. I’d left North Adelaide by the time he got to North Adelaide. I've just been intrigued by his journey. I know talking to the guys at North Adelaide about how Josh went about it. He’s been at Fremantle and been back at Port Adelaide for a while but right from the start, I’ve just been intrigued by Josh and his way of wanting to do things, his passion. I think he’s on the right path with how he sees things. Really excited to get to work with him.” 

Reeves on his skill set he hopes to bring  
“I think I come from a different background to some of the other coaches. And I think in a coaching group, you need diversity, and you need different ideas and different ways of looking at things. And I certainly think I'll bring a different skill set, that I've come from a different pathway. I think I can bring some of that connection piece and relationship piece and certainly just understanding people. I think that's going to be my main strength to the group.” 

Reeves on Port Adelaide’s contest work 
“They’ve obviously got some incredible talent through the midfield. They were challenged with injuries last year across their list, but only 18 months ago they were playing in a prelim and finishing near the top of the table. So the talent’s there, and it's about putting some good processes in place and having a really good platform to work off for our midfield and for all of our players, and looking forward to getting to work with Josh more about how that looks.” 

Reeves on his observations of the club 
“You don't get to watch the vision as you would from a SANFL perspective (when I was senior coach) but I certainly keep an eye on it. You're always trying to learn, every opportunity I can, I watch AFL, sit up high and watch from behind the goals and have a look what’s going on. I’m trying to find ways to make your players better so you’re certainly looking at the higher level to do that. I’ve watched Port pretty closely, as I have with Adelaide and the clubs I sort of have access to a little bit. I do get out of here and watch training a little bit through the pre-seasons as well.” 

Reeves on former Glenelg player Harrison Ramm 
“We were at Glenelg last night when I was able to tell the players (about my new role). When I walked over to the club, Harry was just leaving after doing some weights and some running so I was able to catch up with him last night. So he's going to be a super player at this level and he’s still a young man, but I'm excited seeing how his journey progresses.” 

Reeves on the future of Port Adelaide 
“Absolutely (I think we can turn it around). There’s serious talent here. They were obviously challenged, as I said, with injuries last year, but their best is very good. You only have to look at their last game of the year this year against the Gold Coast, where the young guys stood up and played a brand of football that was exceptionally positive to watch. So I've got no doubt with a big pre-season, a new coaching group and some new ideas, we can turn it around really quickly.”