NATHAN Bassett will join Port Adelaide's coaching group ahead of the 2016 season.
The 38-year-old has spent the past two seasons at Essendon as an assistant after being plucked from the SANFL where he coached Norwood to back-to-back premierships in 2012 and 2013.
The Power are yet to announce what line Bassett will focus on, but coach Ken Hinkley said he would add valuable experience to the club.
"Nathan has a proven track record having built a league leading football program at Norwood," Hinkley said.
"And what I know about Nathan Bassett is that he is a fierce competitor and we look forward to him joining the club to help drive and challenge the team."
Bassett's appointment follows the departures of 2015 assistant coaches Josh Carr and Tyson Edwards.
As well as Bassett, Garry Hocking is expected to re-join the AFL coaching ranks having coached Port's SANFL side for the past two years.
Bassett said he was keen to work with the Power's playing list.
"I look forward to joining an experienced coaching team that is working with an exciting playing group," he said.
"I'm really excited about the direction Ken Hinkley, the coaching group and the team are heading in."
Essendon general manager of football performance Neil Craig aid Bassett's influence had left a mark on the playing group.
"Nathan has done a terrific job with the club's young and developing forwardline in what has been a relatively short and difficult period of time," Craig said.
"'Bass' has a really good rapport amongst the playing group and football staff. He's already highly respected by his peers within the football industry and I look forward to watching his continued development as an elite coach in the AFL.
"We wish Nathan and his family all the best for their move home to South Australia and in his new role with the Port Adelaide Football Club."