Port Adelaide chairman David Koch says the Power will fight hard to retain the services of Alan Richardson, who St Kilda want to appoint as their new head coach.

The Saints had hoped to name Richardson as soon as Thursday to replace Scott Watters, who was sacked earlier this month after two years in the job.

But Koch says Port could match any offer made by the Saints to their highly-respected director of coaching.

“As far as we’re concerned, he’s on contract until the end of 2015 and that’s the way it stays,” Koch said on Channel Seven’s Sunrise program on Thursday.

“Our view is it’s the start of the pre-season.

“Yes, St Kilda are a club in turmoil, well sort it out, don’t spread that to us.”

Richardson has another two years remaining on his contract with Port.

He was reported to be at St Kilda’s Seaford headquarters on Thursday afternoon while the clubs hammered out a deal.