Port Adelaide AFL chairman David Koch has flagged the Power will fight hard to retain the services of Alan Richardson, who St Kilda want to appoint as their new head coach.
The Saints had hoped to name Richardson as soon as Thursday to replace Scott Watters, who was sacked earlier this month after two years in the job.
But Koch says Port could match any offer made by the Saints to their highly-respected director of coaching.
“As far as we’re concerned, he’s on contract until the end of 2015 and that’s the way it stays,” Koch told Channel Seven’s Sunrise program on Thursday.
“Our view is it’s the start of the pre-season.
“Yes, St Kilda are a club in turmoil, well sort it out, don’t spread that to us.”
Richardson has another two years remaining on his contract with Port.
Richmond senior development coach Mark Williams – who also led Port to their first AFL flag in 2004 – had previously been favoured for the top job at St Kilda.
But it was understood that several Saints board members baulked at Williams’ request for a five-year contract.
Tigers CEO Brendon Gale had also criticised St Kilda for chasing one of the club’s key coaching figures at such a late stage.
Richardson had been short-listed for the St Kilda post the last time it became available in 2011, only to be overlooked for Watters.