The Tasmania Devils are closing in on arguably the most important appointment in the club’s history, with interviews underway for the inaugural senior coaching position. Whoever lands the role won’t just coach a football team—they’ll shape the identity of the AFL’s newest club for years to come.
According to multiple reports, former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, ex-Port Adelaide mentor Ken Hinkley and premiership-winning Sydney coach John Longmire are among the leading contenders, with the Devils hoping to finalise an appointment before the end of the AFL season.
While all three candidates bring vastly different coaching styles, each offers something unique as Tasmania prepares for its AFL debut in 2028 after entering the VFL this season.
Buckley has long been linked with the role and has made no secret of his desire to return to senior coaching. After meeting with Devils chief executive Brendon Gale last year, the Collingwood great admitted the opportunity to build a club from the ground up was one that genuinely appealed to him.
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Hinkley has also emerged as a serious contender after stepping away from Port Adelaide at the end of last season. With more than a decade of AFL senior coaching experience and multiple finals campaigns to his name, the former Power coach would bring stability and experience to an expansion club facing enormous expectations.
Then there’s Longmire.
The former Sydney premiership coach has confirmed he has held discussions with Tasmania, although he has played down suggestions that he is the frontrunner. His reputation for building sustainable success and developing young talent makes him one of the most attractive candidates available.
Choosing the inaugural coach isn’t simply about finding the best tactician.
Tasmania needs someone capable of establishing a culture, attracting players, handling the pressure that comes with launching a brand-new AFL club and creating an identity supporters can rally behind.
That’s why this decision is arguably more significant than any coaching appointment currently available elsewhere in the AFL.
Unlike Carlton or Essendon, where coaches inherit established football clubs, the successful Tasmania candidate will effectively build an AFL club from scratch.
The Devils have already unveiled a four-person selection panel consisting of chief executive Brendon Gale, chairman Grant O’Brien, director Alastair Lynch and general manager Lauren Jauncey. That group has been tasked with identifying the coach they believe can lead Tasmania into the AFL era.
One thing appears certain.
The Devils aren’t interested in making a quick decision simply because rival clubs are also searching for coaches. Reports suggest Tasmania remains committed to finding the right candidate rather than rushing the process, despite coaching vacancies elsewhere across the league.
Whether the job ultimately goes to Buckley, Hinkley, Longmire or another surprise candidate, the appointment will become one of the defining moments in Tasmania’s AFL journey.
The club’s first coach won’t just be judged by wins and losses.
They’ll be remembered as the person who laid the foundations for football’s newest club, making this one of the biggest coaching decisions the AFL has seen in years.
