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Why Russell thinks Port should target Jannik Sinner's coach as one of Carr's assistants
Lachlan Geleit • February 14th, 2025 3:38 pm
Dwayne Russell thinks that tennis superstar Jannik Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill would make a great assistant at Port Adelaide once Josh Carr takes over in 2026.
While Russell understands that some may consider it ridiculous that an AFL club target the World No. 1 tennis player’s coach to step into a footy role, the SEN host is certain Cahill could work wonders at Alberton.
Cahill has previously served on Port Adelaide’s board and is the son of club legend John Cahill, and while the former tennis star has experience as a coach or player in league footy, Russell thinks that his expertise could be useful at Alberton in a coaching dynamic.
The 59-year-old has previously coached the likes of Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi, Andy Murry, and Ana Ivanovic among many more in the tennis world, and Russell thinks that the Power should genuinely consider the left-field option.
“I think it's a huge win (getting Neil Balme on Adelaide’s board),” Russell told SEN Afternoons.
“I reckon Port Adelaide should do something similar by getting Darren Cahill back on their board and I think even adding someone like that to your coaching staff would be a huge win.
“I would get Darren Cahill as an assistant coach to Josh Carr, and that might sound ridiculous.
“People might say, ‘Why would you get a tennis coach as an assistant coach or an advisor to Josh Carr of Port Adelaide?’.
“I'll tell you why, because Phil Smyth has been a great advisor and assistant and helper to Chris Fagan at the Lions, and Phil Smyth never played a game of footy.
“He’s an NBL legend, he's been at the Lions for a few years now helping Chris Fagan, getting someone like Darren Cahill to Port Adelaide would be a great idea.”
Basketball great Smyth has worked with Brisbane over the last six years in a coaching mentor role.
Cahill is set to retire and depart from his role at Sinner's coach at the end of the 2025 tennis season.
