After a disastrous season so far, the coach has "stepped aside".  I am sure he was "pushed".

Collingwood spoils Choco's farewell

Port Adelaide went down fighting in a gutsy farewell to departing coach Mark Williams, falling by 26 points to Collingwood at Football Park on Friday night.

Just hours after Williams tearfully announced that he was leaving the club, the Power went goal-for-goal in the third term before eventually succumbing 16.9 (105) to 12.7 (79), extending their losing skid to eight matches.

Collingwood ball magnet Dane Swan was instrumental in the comeback victory, gathering a game-high 39 disposals, and Chris Dawes kicked three goals.

Port forward Brett Ebert kicked four majors, David Rodan and Steven Salopek were prolific ball winners, but Power players were unable to farewell Williams in style.

Williams blew a kiss to his home crowd when leaving the arena at three-quarter time, but was ultimately helpless as Port fell to its eighth consecutive loss - an extension of an unwanted club record.

Williams, who had coached Port since 1999, was afforded a pre-game standing ovation from the 24,260 spectators before his side, kicking with a gale, blitzed Collingwood in the opening stanza.

Alan Didak said despite the opposition's poor record, Collingwood had to be wary of an emotionally charged Power side.

"I think every team tries to lift for the coach's last game," he told Grandstand.

"We found out pretty early and we knew they were going to come out hard and give everything for Choco, so we just had to stick to our guns and we did that."

He said that Magpies coach Mick Malthouse lit a fire under he and his team-mates after the ordinary first term.

"Mick was pretty keen on us to get the footy and stick to our structures and we did that in the second quarter, I think we kicked seven goals," he told Grandstand.

"He does [get frustrated] at times any coach would, but we started off terrible and I think he was a bit annoyed so I think he showed his frustration."

The ugly scoreline at the first break was compounded for the Magpies when Travis Cloke was booked for striking Power onballer Travis Boak in the back of the head away from the play.

Magpies midfielder Swan was the catalyst for the comeback, which also featured influential gems by the mercurial Didak.

Didak set up Swan for the first of six unanswered goals with a blink fast handball before posting two majors himself - the first an up and under snap from 40 metres which sailed on the breeze, the second a classy curled shot from a tight angle.

The Magpies then bunkered down in a game defining third term, mustering three goals into the wind which nullified Port's three, as the visitors took a one-point lead into the last quarter.

While the advantage was slender, the result appeared inevitable given the impact of the wind - only six goals were kicked against the solid southerly, and the Magpies duly sailed home to post their 11th win of the season.

Port has the task of appointing a caretaker coach for its trip to Darwin to face the Western Bulldogs next round, while the Magpies return home to prepare for a blockbuster against fellow flag aspirant St Kilda.

Collingwood: 16.9 (105) - C Dawes 3, A Didak 2, D Thomas 2, J Blair 2, L Brown 2, D Beams, D Jolly, D Swan, T Cloke, T Lockyer.

Port Adelaide: 12.7 (79) - B Ebert 4, D Rodan 3, D Motlop 2, D Stewart, J Carr, M Banner.

- AAP/ABC

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/09/2949948.htm?site=sport&section=afl

Primus handed full-time Port role

Posted September 9, 2010 10:23:00

Port Adelaide has confirmed the appointment of former AFL premiership player Matthew Primus to the club's head coaching position on a full-time basis for the next three seasons.

Primus, 35, guided the Power to five wins form their last seven games as caretaker after premiership-winning coach Mark Williams left the club.

The former Port ruckman was the top contender for the job which emerged as a contest between him and former Lions premiership player and Fremantle assistant coach Chris Scott.

Primus won two All-Australian nods and was club captain of Port in its 2004 premiership season, when the Power stopped Brisbane Lions' historic bid to win four consecutive flags despite missing the grand final.

Primus said taking the reins at Port was a dream come true.

"I am thrilled and would like to sincerely thank the club for the opportunity," Primus said.

"I would also like to thank our members and supporters, who have backed me not just over the last few weeks but throughout my playing career. Their support has been exceptional.

"I believe we have a really exciting playing list and there are so many exciting things happening off-field too, it's just a great time to get this opportunity and I look forward to taking it with both hands."

Port president Brett Duncanson said the board was completely in support of Primus, who has been given a three-year contract.

"Matthew Primus will lead the Port Adelaide Football Club for the next three years - and we expect well beyond - as our club enters its next era," Duncanson said in a statement.

"Matt has outstanding Port Adelaide heritage - but that was not a deciding factor in his appointment. He was the best candidate pure and simple at the end of a very demanding and competitive selection process."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/09/3006923.htm?section=justin