PORT Adelaide defender Troy Chaplin has become the latest player to speak out in support of out-of-contract coach Mark Williams.

Chaplin, 23, fronted the media on Thursday to talk about his three-year contract extension, but instead found himself answering the inevitable questions about Williams’ future at Alberton.

The club, which put in place a ‘process’ in regards to Williams’ reappointment late last year, maintains it has not yet made a decision on the senior coaching position.

That decision is likely to be made at a scheduled meeting on Monday night.

The meeting comes at an inopportune time for Williams, who will face the toughest task in football when he leads his injury-hit side to Skilled Stadium on Sunday to take on the might of Geelong.

It’s understood that Williams himself has no idea which way the board is leaning.

On Wednesday former skipper Warren Tredrea pushed for Williams’ reappointment and by the following morning a sign reading ‘keep tradition, keep the Port blood, keep Choco’ had been erected out the front of Power headquarters.

There’s even a Facebook group dedicated to the premiership coach’s plight.

Chaplin denied the uncertainty of Williams’ future had contributed to his side’s up and down season, but said he wanted to see the club stalwart remain at Alberton.

“I’ve got full confidence in the board to make that decision next week. I’d love for it to be Choco [Williams] because he’s been great in the six years I’ve been here,” Chaplin said.

“Coming from a basketball background, he has taught me a lot about the game and he’s been great for my individual development. He’s put a lot of time into players and into the team as well. The preparation he puts in week in and week out is fantastic.

“No disrespect to any other clubs and I don’t know what other coaches are like, but I’d probably say Choco is one of the best around.”

Chaplin said he didn’t raise the issue of the senior coach when negotiating the terms of his new deal.

“I didn’t really think about it. I love playing for the club and they’ve given me the opportunity.”