Port Favors Primus

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Former Port Adelaide ruckman and club captain Matthew Primus has been appointed senior coach of the club. The selection panel interviewed several candidates over a two month period before signing Primus to a three year contract. In making the announcement, club president Brett Duncanson said Primus, who was unanimously approved by the board, was the best candidate for the job and that his Port heritage did not play a part in the decision.

Primus took over as caretaker coach after the departure of Mark Williams just before Round 16. In the seven final weeks of the season he led Port to five wins. Port's only losses in that time came against the Western Bulldogs in Round 16 and St Kilda in Round 19. Primus thanked the club for the opportunity, saying coaching the club has always been a dream of his.

Primus, the grandson of former Geelong great Reg Hickey, began his career with the Fitzroy Lions. He had a fine debut season in 1996, playing 20 games in Fitzroy's final season before the merger with Brisbane. At the end of 1996, Primus returned to South Australia, where he began his career at Norwood, going on to play with the new AFL club Port Adelaide. He was appointed captain in 2001 and played 157 games. He was named All-Australian in 2001 and 2002 and won the club's best and fairest in 2001 and and 2004. He was also a member of the club's two preseason Premiership teams in 2001 and 2002. He retired as a player at the end of 2005 and was named as an assistant coach.

Source: Daniel Norton, Club Media Release, Encyclopedia of League Footballers