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Hinkley Turns No Flag Into Tassie Coaching Strength
19 Jul
Summary
- Hinkley highlighted his lack of a premiership as a motivating strength.
- He will be the inaugural coach for the Tasmania Devils.
- Hinkley's unifier traits were key for the new club's appeal.
Ken Hinkley is poised to be officially named the inaugural coach of the Tasmania Devils, the AFL's 19th club, ahead of their 2028 entry. Hinkley, formerly of Port Adelaide, presented his unfulfilled premiership ambition as a unique strength to Tasmanian officials, emphasizing his enduring drive to lead a team to ultimate success.
Hinkley's qualities as a unifier and connector were highly valued by the Devils. His appointment is intended to generate significant interest and unite the state behind the new franchise. Experts suggest his experience and passion make him an ideal figurehead.
Comparisons have been drawn to Chris Fagan, who achieved significant success later in his coaching career. This suggests Hinkley, at 59, still has ample coaching prowess ahead of him. His ability to engage with fans and players is seen as crucial for the club's early years.
David King noted Hinkley's strengths as a promoter and entertainer, deeming him a great fit for Tasmania's challenging initial phase. Brad Johnson highlighted the importance of Hinkley assembling a strong coaching support team to manage the club's development.
