Adelaide coach Neil Craig says it would be the AFL's loss if departing Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams walks away from the game for good.

Williams will step down as head coach of the Power after Friday night's clash with Collingwood at the MCG, with rumours the 51-year-old could become Kevin Sheedy's assistant at Greater Western Sydney.

Either way, Craig hoped Williams, who guided Port to the 2004 premiership, would remain involved in the game in some capacity down the track.

"I hope Mark stays in football," Craig said in Perth on Friday.

"He's got too much to offer to the game (not to continue in) whatever role he chooses.

"He's a very experienced coach, he's a very successful coach and he knows the game.

"People like Mark Williams are too hard to come by for the game to lose, so hopefully he stays in it.

"It's been a fantastic coaching career at Port Adelaide.

"He's got a strong emotional attachment to that club but all good things come to an end don't they."

Craig reflected on how his own tenure at Adelaide was brought into question after the Crows lost their opening six games of the season.

"There would have been a lot of discussion (about Williams' position) I would have thought over the last three or four weeks," Craig said.

"We've been through the same thing and we still may be exposed with eight games to go.

"It's a tough industry, it's highly competitive."

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