Tasmania has announced Ken Hinkley as its inaugural senior coach, signing a five-year deal until the end of 2031.
Hinkley was among three experienced candidates vying for the Devils' position, ultimately beating out Nathan Buckley and John Longmire for the role.
Hinkley was previously coach of Port Adelaide for 13 seasons (2013-2025). He coached 297 games for 144 wins, and was named coach of the year on two occasions (2013 and 2020). Throughout his tenure, he made the finals on seven occasions, including claiming the minor premiership in 2020. However, Hinkley never led the Power to a grand final, despite multiple preliminary final appearances.
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.
Tasmania is currently in eighth spot in the VFL, having posted eight wins, six losses and a draw.
LIVE: HINKLEY UNVEILED AS TASMANIA COACH
Follow all the updates from Monday's press conference here...
11:23am - "This feels like somewhere I can live. I'm pretty simple, and I fit in to really comfortable community settings."
Tassie's natural beauty speaks to the gruff operator.
11:22am - "I expect to win."
11:21am - "You've got to have a great stadium. It's going to be such a great place to be. I don't think Tasmanians understand what this stadium is going to do for them."
11:20am - "We've seen Geelong do pretty well as a 'community-type' club."
Hinkley cites Geelong's ability to galvanise its local roots as the blueprint for his Devils.
11:18am - "We're not closing the door on anyone."
Former charges Zak Butters, Miles Bergman and Mitch Georgiades were thrown up as potential acquisitions.
11:17am - "There's an opportunity to be on an AFL list in 12 months' time."
Tassie's VFL players offered a golden ticket by the incoming coach.
11:16am - "There's a lot that can be learned from what those two (clubs) went through, but we get the advantage of a football community, that they didn't have."
Plenty to be learned from GWS' and the Gold Coast's ventures into the league.
11:15am - "Typically, Tasmanian footballers have had to leave to play AFL football - we don't want that to continue."
11:13am - "At what stage of life do you decide you've had enough, done enough? I'm miles away from that."
59-year-old Ken Hinkley shirks questions of his age and suitability for the big role ahead, citing the grandfatherly Brisbane Lions coach, Chris Fagan, as an inspiration.
11:11am - "We'll be going after the very best."
Hinkley is not ruling out a Gary Ablett Jnr.-esque acquisition.
11:10am - "I've got some commitments that I will fulfil now..but whilst I'm doing them, I'll be busy (with the Tasmanian gig)."
11:09am - "It won't be a nice spot to come, if you're a visiting team."
The home ground will become a fortress, Hinkley promises.
11:08am - "I feel like this has stronger passion, already!"
A bold call from the bold Hinkley, stating Tassie's passion outweighs Port's.
11:07am - "We'll come pretty quick, and we'll come pretty hard."
Hinkley is certain that if the club can maximise their draft concessions, they'll be in contention very quickly.
11:06am - "It's going to be a challenge."
Hinkley is eyes wide open to what lays ahead, citing his time at the Gold Coast.
11:05am - "My name will be here forever as the inaugural coach, and that makes me proud."
11:03am - "I'm a footy coach - I don't know much else."
"It's 160-plus years of football down here."
Ken Hinkley is buzzing with excitement.
11:01am - "Ken indicated he has a real focus and a passion for development."
"We've agreed to a five-year term."
Tasmanian CEO, Brendon Gale.
11:00am - "You need to be resilient in start-ups...He'll be a great ambassador for our club, and a great ambassador for our state."
"Character, care and connection - he's got that in spades, and he'll need it."
"From our point of view, this is a foundational piece of our football club, and our football department."
"I'm absolutely certain we've got the right man."
Tasmanian president Grant O'Brien, in unveiling Ken Hinkley.
