RUCKMAN David Hale has given a strong endorsement of Hawthorn assistant coaches Adam Simpson and Leon Cameron as possible replacements for sacked Port Adelaide coach Matthew Primus.

The Power is in the market for a new senior coach after announcing on Monday it would not extend Primus' contract beyond this season.

He has elected to step down immediately, with Garry Hocking to fill in as caretaker coach for the remainder of 2012.

Hale said Cameron, who narrowly missed the Western Bulldogs' coaching job last year, and Simpson, a former teammate at North Melbourne, could both make the step up.

"They've both been excellent in what they've done for us," Hale said on Monday afternoon.

"I've obviously known Adam Simpson for a long time, and the stuff he's done in the midfield since he's been here has been first rate.

"And working with Leon has been great as well.

"I'm sure [their names] will be bandied around for the next few weeks, but they're both excellent candidates."

Cameron, who played 256 games for the Bulldogs and Richmond, joined the Hawks ahead of the 2011 season after seven years as an assistant at the Whitten Oval.

He is the club's forward line coach.

Simpson, in his third year as a Hawthorn assistant, played 306 games for the Kangaroos, captaining it for five years and playing in two premierships.

In announcing Primus' exit at a press conference on Monday morning, Port Adelaide said it would start its hunt for a new leader immediately.