Tasmania hasn't wasted any time in locking away a crucial part of the club's build, signing Geelong assistant Nigel Lappin as the Devils' inaugural head of development.
After the appointment of Ken Hinkley as the club's senior coach, the Devils are looking to fill vital roles ahead of their AFL entry.
Lappin was at the top of the agenda, and according to Channel Seven, he will head the development of the new expansion club. It is understood he will see out the 2026 campaign at the Cats.
After a stellar playing career that spanned over 15 years, 279 games, three flags, four All-Australians, a Brisbane best and fairest, and captaincy of the club, Lappin immediately joined the coaching caper.
He joined Geelong ahead of the 2009 season and has been there ever since, holding roles as a midfield coach before moving to a development coaching role. Lappin has been leading the Cats' development since 2024.
Carlton attempted to pry the well-regarded development coach out of Kardinia Park last year to join premiership teammate Michael Voss at Ikon Park.
Lappin has a strong relationship with premiership teammate Alastair Lynch, who was a part of the selection committee that appointed Hinkley to a five-year deal, expiring at the end of 2031, as the senior coach.
Lappin also worked alongside Hinkley at Geelong in 2009, and was deemed a pivotal component of the Cats' impressive development of non-football players such as Oliver Dempsey, Oisin Mullin and Mark Blicavs.
The Devils will soon welcome a host of gun 17-year-olds who will be eligible to play for the VFL side next year.
Former Essendon coach Brad Scott was initially sounded out for the head of football gig, but ultimately decided the timing wasn't right.
