Ken Hinkley reads as an inspired choice to helm the Tasmania Devils as they venture into the AFL landscape.
A renowned motivator, and a lauded connector of men, Hinkley boasts the grit to do the dirty work and the polish to present to stakeholders.
However, if he's to maximise the club's considerable draft and list concessions, and ultimately bring the cup to the Apple Isle, he'll be doing something that he never achieved in more than a decade with the Power, and something the inaugural coach of an AFL team has never, ever done.
Not every inaugural coach struggled - some almost broke even by the conclusion of their tenure.
Take a trip down memory lane, as we rank the inaugural coaches of AFL teams!
9. GWS Giants / Kevin Sheedy
The Giants, eager to learn from their expansion counterparts of a year prior, the Gold Coast Suns, went with the most tried-and-true of coaches.
Kevin Sheedy coached 363 wins - not games, wins - at Essendon.
He would add only three in two seasons and 44 games in charge of the baby Giants, and is perhaps best remembered for his infamous inaugural address, rather than any semblance of on-field success.
💬 “Don’t ever let any club or player dominate you.”
11 years ago today, Kevin Sheedy delivered his iconic inaugural coaches address 🗣️ #BigBigSound pic.twitter.com/hHAuSuw3pS
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) March 24, 2023
Leon Cameron would take over as part of one of footy's more successful succession plans, taking the club to its first two preliminary finals, and its maiden Grand Final appearance.
Still, many felt he underachieved, such was the talent at Cameron's disposal. Veteran journalist Craig Hutchison infamously said he 'was handed the keys to a Ferrari he didn't know how to drive' - a quip that followed Cameron right to the very end of his tenure.
On balance, given his role in preparing Cameron for the rigours of the job, Sheedy's wooden spoon in this ranking may be a little harsh, but I for one cannot look past three wins from 44 outings, and a percentage of 48.66. There's uncompetitive, and then there's whatever the heck you'd like to call that.
