Jacob Surjan to coach Port Adelaide’s SANFL team in 2026

By ZAC MILBANK

Former North Adelaide mentor Jacob Surjan will remain in Hostplus SANFL League ranks next season when he takes charge of Port Adelaide for season 2026. 

Surjan, who parted ways with the Roosters after Round 6 in May this year, will return to Alberton to reunite with the Power’s incoming senior coach Josh Carr.

Leading North Adelaide to the 2020 and 2022 Grand Finals, Surjan first linked up with Carr at Prospect in 2018, coaching the Roosters’ Reserves to a premiership before taking the League mantle in 2020.

Now he will join a cluster of former North coaches assembling at Queen Street, including Carr, former North Adelaide Development mentor Darren Reeves and this year’s Roosters U18 coach and Talent Manager, Mitch Clisby.

”We are pleased to welcome Jacob Surjan back to the club to lead this important program,” Port Adelaide Chief Executive Matthew Richardson said.

”Jacob has been a successful SANFL coach leading North Adelaide to two grand finals and will bring great energy and passion for the SANFL program and the development of our players.”

Surjan, who began his coaching journey at Port Adelaide in a development role from 2015 to 2017, spent more than seven seasons at Menzies Crescent.

The small defender, who played a total of 121 AFL games for the Power between 2004 and 2012, registered an overall 53-44 win-loss record after being at the helm of North’s League team from 2020 to 2025.

Surjan will replace Hamish Hartlett, who, after guiding the Magpies for the past two seasons, has been elevated to an AFL assistant coaching role, focusing on midfield stoppages.