Sam Mitchell has raised concerns over Ken Hinkley's unique position in the AFL landscape, with the Hawthorn coach questioning the inaugural Tasmania Devils mentor's continued access to club rooms while fulfilling his Fox Footy media duties.
Earlier this week, the Devils announced Hinkley as their inaugural coach after he beat strong candidates Nathan Buckley and John Longmire to the role.
The former Port Adelaide coach has put every AFL player on the agenda for a potential trade, and the access he has as part of the broadcasters' commentary team, Mitchell doesn't approve.
“I don't like that," the Hawks coach said on SEN.
“I must admit I enjoy Kenny. I know a couple of people that know him well, and they speak very, very highly of him.
“And his pragmatic nature of, ‘Yeah, we're gonna be coming after players of course, and I'm gonna be a big part of that'.
“I do enjoy the pragmatic nature of what we all do; it's frowned upon, but he's finally coming out and saying, ‘Yeah, of course I'm going to be doing that'.
“So as long as he goes after everyone else's and not ours.”
The Devils will enter the AFL in 2028 with a host of draft concessions to assist with their entry.
Tasmania will get picks No, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 in the 2027 national draft, but they must trade picks 5, 7, 11 and 13 to other clubs for either players or other draft picks.
They can also sign up to 18 uncontracted players from rival clubs across 2027-28, with a maximum of one player per club.
West Coast AFLW coach Daisy Pearce was banned from multiple AFL rooms during her time with Geelong as an assistant coach, whilst also partaking in Channel Seven's broadcast in 2023.
Geelong assistant Nathan Buckley also has media commitments with Fox Footy, which could also be a conflict of interest.
