Tasmania looks to have locked in its inaugural coach as Ken Hinkley and will confirm the announcement during a press conference on Monday morning.
Reports emerged on Sunday that Hinkley had been spotted at the airport in Hobart with Tasmania chief marketing officer Kathryn McCann.
The former Port Adelaide coach then presented to the Devils board, with the club hinting at an impending announcement through its socials later that afternoon.
Hinkley appears to have beaten former Collingwood coach and current Geelong assistant Nathan Buckley and premiership coach John Longmire to the role.
Other contenders for the position have been informed of the Devils' decision.
Tasmania will officially enter the league in 2028. With the decision being made on Hinkley as the Devils senior coach, the club can now focus on convincing opposition players and prospective draftees to sign with the league's 19th club.
The announcement will be a historic one for the state and Tasmania Football Club.
Hinkley finished his tenure at Port Adelaide last season, having coached the Power since 2013.
The 59-year-old is known for his ability to build relationships with players and form a connection between the club and its fanbase.
Hinkley arrived as senior coach of Port Adelaide during the club's darkest moment when they were struggling from a membership, attendance, performance and financial level.
Within a couple of seasons, Hinkley drove the club to a preliminary final and was pivotal in building the Power's on-and off-field culture, which remains strong to this day.
Hinkley took Port Adelaide to four preliminary finals during his 13-year stint at the club, including a run of three preliminary finals in five years from 2020-2024.
The Power and Hinkley also won the minor premiership in 2020.
More to come...
