Hobart, TAS – Less than a year after his departure from the Port Adelaide Football Club, Ken Hinkley is poised to make a dramatic return to the AFL coaching ranks, confirmed by Guardian Australia Sport as the Tasmania Devils' historic first senior coach. The 59-year-old’s appointment signals a significant step forward for the league's newest franchise as it prepares for its much-anticipated 2028 entry into the national competition.
The announcement, anticipated to be made formally in coming days, follows an exhaustive selection process by the fledgling club, which reportedly cast its net wide before settling on the seasoned mentor. Hinkley’s experience, marked by a decade at the helm of the Power, is understood to have been a key factor in the Devils’ decision to entrust him with the monumental task of building a competitive AFL team from the ground up.
The Journey to Tasmania's Top Job
Hinkley's path to the Tasmanian hot seat has been anything but conventional. After 11 seasons and 231 games coaching Port Adelaide, his tenure concluded in August last year, bringing an end to a period that saw the club consistently contend for finals but ultimately fall short of premiership glory. Despite a win-loss record of 135 wins, 94 losses, and 2 draws – making him the most successful coach in the club’s AFL history by games coached and wins – the inability to secure a Grand Final berth proved a persistent shadow over his time at Alberton.
His departure from Port Adelaide was framed as a mutual decision, with both parties acknowledging the need for a fresh start. This time away from the intense AFL spotlight appears to have revitalised Hinkley, presenting him with a unique opportunity to shape a club’s identity from its genesis.
Overlooked Giants and a New Direction
Guardian Australia Sport reported that the coaching search was thorough, with several high-profile names reportedly considered for the coveted position. Among those understood to have been in contention were decorated figures like Nathan Buckley, the former Collingwood premiership captain and coach, and Sydney Swans premiership coach John Longmire. The decision to opt for Hinkley over such respected football minds underscores the Devils' commitment to a coach with recent, direct AFL senior coaching experience and a proven track record of developing talent and fostering strong club culture.
For Tasmania, securing a coach of Hinkley’s calibre early in their establishment phase is a strategic coup. It provides stability and a clear direction for player recruitment, staff appointments, and the development of their football program well in advance of their inaugural season.
Building from the Ground Up for 2028
Hinkley’s immediate focus will be on the arduous but exciting task of constructing the Devils’ playing list and establishing their foundational football departments. This includes navigating the complexities of expansion drafts, securing priority picks, and attracting both established AFL talent and promising young prospects to the Apple Isle. His extensive network and understanding of the AFL landscape will be invaluable in these preparatory years.
The Devils' 2028 entry represents a watershed moment for Tasmanian football, fulfilling a decades-long dream for passionate local fans. With Ken Hinkley now at the helm, the vision for a competitive, homegrown AFL team takes a significant step closer to reality, promising an exhilarating journey for the league's newest club and its burgeoning fan base. The eyes of the football world will be watching closely as Hinkley embarks on perhaps the most challenging, yet potentially most rewarding, chapter of his coaching career.
