Lade's future unclear

AMID speculation ruckman Brendon Lade could be lured to cross-town rival Adelaide in a coaching capacity next season, Power coach Mark Williams conceded he wasn't sure of the veteran's playing future.

Williams suggested Lade was destined for a future in coaching but wouldn't be drawn on a timeframe or destination for the 33-year-old to make the transition.

"Brendon Lade is a very smart, astute student of the game so when he retires he will be coaching, but where that is I'm not sure," he said.

Lade has been linked to the Crows as its next ruck coach, however, Williams said Port Adelaide could consider a counter-offer if the opportunity proved to be real.

"We've had great service form him and it's about timing and what’s available and what's not," he said.

"If it's a position that fits in for us we'd certainly, when the time comes, be talking to him about it."

Lade, whose career accolades include the 2004 premiership, a best and fairest award (2006) and dual All-Australian selection (2006, 2007), has played every game this season for a career total of 231.

Lade, Peter Burgoyne and Warren Tredrea are the only remaining members of the Power's inaugural squad and since early this decade he has formed one of the competition's most formidable ruck combinations with Dean Brogan.

Both Lade (311 hit-outs) and Brogan (363) sit within the competition's top 10 in that category for 2009.

Williams also confirmed the club had met with current Hawthorn assistant coach Damien Hardwick about a vacant position at Alberton next season.

But he added it was unlikely his former backman would return to Port Adelaide.