The search for Tasmania's inaugural AFL coach is nearing its climax, with the announcement expected as early as Monday. The hot favorite to land the job is Ken Hinkley, a former mentor at Port Adelaide who has been making the rounds in Hobart. Hinkley's appointment would be a significant coup for the young Tasmania Devils, and the club is reportedly impressed by his development strengths. But what makes this story particularly fascinating is the intense competition for the role. Hinkley has beaten out established names like John Longmire and Nathan Buckley, who have also been in the running. Longmire, in particular, has been a strong contender, and his meeting with the Devils was described as a fact-finding mission. However, Hinkley's appointment would be a strategic move for the club, as he is seen as a great teacher of the game and a fantastic person. In my opinion, the choice of coach will be critical to the club's success, and the fact that they are considering someone with Hinkley's credentials is a positive sign. The AFL's 19th club is set to make a head coach announcement early in the week, and the anticipation is palpable. This raises a deeper question: what makes a great coach, and how will the Devils' choice impact their future? The answer may lie in the unique challenges and opportunities of coaching a new team. From my perspective, the appointment of a coach is a crucial moment for any sports club, and the Devils are making a bold move by considering Hinkley. The club's hope to have its first coach by the end of the season is a realistic goal, and the announcement is expected to be made soon. The fact that Hinkley has boarded a flight to Hobart suggests that the deal is close, and the club is likely to make a decision in the coming days. In summary, the search for Tasmania's inaugural AFL coach is reaching its climax, and the appointment of Ken Hinkley would be a significant development for the club. The competition for the role has been intense, and the choice of coach will be critical to the Devils' future success. The announcement is expected to be made soon, and the anticipation is palpable. This raises a deeper question: what makes a great coach, and how will the Devils' choice impact their future? The answer may lie in the unique challenges and opportunities of coaching a new team.
