Tasmania Devils Coach Incoming
Ken Hinkley Favored to Become Tasmania Devils' Inaugural Senior Coach Amid Final Selection
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Key Points
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Tasmania Devils chief executive Brendon Gale described the head-coach decision as highly consequential and indicated they expect it to be resolved by the end of the season.
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Hinkley is widely viewed as strong in talent development and player retention, with reports highlighting his ability to attract players and noting his involvement in Gary Ablett's decision to join the Suns as an example of his influence in player movement.
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There were reports that Brad Scott could take up a football boss role with the Devils, illustrating that the coaching race included options beyond the on-field senior coach candidate.
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Hinkley has arrived in Hobart to present to the Devils’ coaching selection panel, as part of a formal process that also involved Longmire and Buckley and is being conducted ahead of the club’s AFL entry in 2028.
Ken Hinkley is the frontrunner to become the inaugural head coach of the Tasmania Devils, with a decision expected as early as Monday, according to Perth Now. The announcement would mark a major milestone for the AFL's newest expansion club, which is set to enter the competition in 2028.
Hinkley has travelled to Hobart to present to the Devils' coaching selection panel. He faces competition from former Sydney Swans coach John Longmire and ex-Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, according to AAP News.
Hinkley's 297-Game Track Record Sets Him Apart
Hinkley coached Port Adelaide for 297 games, recording 174 wins. He never reached a grand final, but his tenure is widely seen as a success in building stability and developing young talent. Those qualities are exactly what a start-up club needs, according to Muswellbrook Chronicle.
Reports have highlighted Hinkley's ability to attract and keep players. One example often cited is his role in Gary Ablett's decision to join the Gold Coast Suns early in his career. For a club building from scratch, that kind of influence over player movement is seen as a key asset, according to Glen Innes Examiner.
Longmire and Buckley Also in the Frame
John Longmire, who coached the Sydney Swans to two premierships, met with Devils officials as part of the formal process. Nathan Buckley, who led Collingwood to the 2023 premiership, was also considered. Buckley is said to remain in a role at Geelong if he is not selected, according to AAP News.
All three candidates went through a structured presentation process in Hobart. The Devils ran a thorough search before settling on a preferred candidate. The formal nature of the process shows how seriously the club is treating its first-ever coaching appointment.
CEO Gale Calls the Decision 'Highly Consequential'
Tasmania Devils chief executive Brendon Gale described the head-coach hire as a highly consequential decision. He said the club expects to resolve it by the end of the current AFL season or early next week. The urgency reflects how much is riding on getting the first appointment right.
Reports also suggest Brad Scott could take up a football boss role with the Devils, separate from the senior coaching position. That would give the club an experienced football operations leader alongside its new head coach, according to Muswellbrook Chronicle.
Five-Year Deal on the Table as 2028 Entry Looms
The Devils are reportedly offering a five-year contract to their new head coach. That length of deal signals the club wants continuity from the start. With their 2028 AFL entry still years away, the new coach will have time to shape the list, culture, and development pathways, according to Glen Innes Examiner.
Tasmania will become the AFL's 19th team. The state has waited decades for its own team. Getting the coaching appointment right is the first big test of whether the Devils can build a club that competes from day one, according to Perth Now.
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