Tasmania could be on the verge of announcing its inaugural senior coach after Ken Hinkley was spotted in Hobart on Sunday.
The former Port Adelaide coach was seen with Tasmania chief marketing officer Kathryn McCann as an announcement of the Devils' first senior coach appears to be imminent.
The race to become Tasmania's senior coach was down to three experienced horses with Hinkley, Nathan Buckley and John Longmire all in the mix.
However, it is now believed that Hinkley is in pole position, with Seven reporting that an announcement from Tasmania on its senior coach could come as early as Monday.
Hinkley formally presented to the club's board on Sunday.
Fox Footy commentator and Tasmania board member Alastair Lynch spoke on the Gold Coast-Western Bulldogs broadcast on Sunday about the coach selection process and Hinkley's presentation.
"(Hinkley) was interviewed in Hobart just before the game started today, so I was involved in that process," Lynch said on the broadcast.
"I certainly can't confirm (Hinkley will be the coach) and the process continues and the process has been going for a number of months and this is another step no doubt about that.
"I had to drop out of the meeting because the (Suns-Dogs) game was about to start.
"The process hasn't been concluded as yet."
Tasmania will officially enter the league in 2028, and the announcement of a senior coach will be important in attracting opposition players and convincing draftees to sign to the Devils before the draft, as the league's concessions allow.
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.
