Port Adelaide have settled on Matthew Primus as the club's caretaker for the rest of the AFL season following Mark Williams' emotional departure.

Primus, who had served under Williams as the Power's ruck/midfield coach, accepted the role on Sunday afternoon after two days of speculation.

Fellow assistant Dean Laidley is believed to have knocked back the task in the wake of Williams' exit, leaving Primus to take the reins for the remainder of the year.

The Power are presently mired in 13th on the ladder, having suffered an eighth consecutive loss on Friday night against Collingwood in Williams' final match as coach.

Before the match, Williams had argued Primus deserved his chance.

"Matty Primus, ex-captain of the club, has done the yards as a young coach," said Williams.

"I think Matty Primus, he has real skills to at least get an opportunity."

Before he entered coaching, Primus had been a much-admired captain of the Power during the latter stages of a 157-game playing career that began with Fitzroy in 1996.

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