PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has urged his club's members and supporters to get behind the controversial decision to appoint co-captains for the first time in its history.

The Power announced on Thursday that Ollie Wines and Tom Jonas would share the captaincy for the 2019 season, replacing Travis Boak, who stepped down at the end of last year after six years as skipper.

Half-back flanker Hamish Hartlett rounds out the streamlined three-man leadership group as vice-captain.

It's the first time since the Power entered the AFL in 1997, and dating back to when Port Adelaide was formed in 1870, that the club has had co-captains.

"Clearly that's the first thing you think about, you think about all those things involved with a football club as great as Port Adelaide," Hinkley said.

"It's a really brave decision to come up here today and say we think this is the right model.

"I am asking our fans and our members to be equally as brave and support these two boys.

"They will do them incredibly proud right through the next part of this football club's history."

The move has polarised Power supporters, but Hinkley said it was done with the club's best interests at heart.

"We'll convince them purely through results, but what I also know about Port Adelaide, is our fans and our members are really passionate," Hinkley said.

The decision means the No.1 guernsey – traditionally worn by the Power captain – won't be used this year.

Former captain Warren Tredrea was among those who didn't agree with the Power appointing co-captains.

"I have never liked the co-captaincy model and feel a little disappointed no-one will be continuing on the PAFC tradition of a single captain wearing number one in 2019," Tredrea tweeted.

Hinkley consulted with Boak and former Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff before deciding to appoint co-captains.

"Some of the things they gave me was that this is a really, really big role," Hinkley said.

"They would've loved to have someone to share that responsibility with.

"They think without doubt giving the boys a chance to support each other will make them better captains."

Wines had long been tipped to be the Power's long-term skipper after serving as vice-captain for the past two years.

The 24-year-old was second in the Power's best and fairest last year – tied with Jonas – and signed a four-year extension until 2022.

"I came to this football club from interstate six years ago, I virtually knew nothing about it and to be in this position, I'm incredibly proud to stand next to Tom, Ken and Hamish," Wines said.

"I'm over the moon."

Jonas, 28, has forged a different path, the Norwood product coming through the rookie draft to become an elite key defender.

He believed a co-captain model could work for the Power.

"Ollie and I have strengths that complement each other," Jonas said.

"In this day and age, two can better than one.

"I'm really eager to work beside Ollie and share this moment, but many positive moments going forward."