The Tasmania Devils football club has officially commenced its search for a senior coach, with the selection panel holding its first formal interview this week. The four-person panel, led by club chair Grant O’Brien and CEO Brendon Gale, met with Geelong assistant coach Nathan Buckley as part of a formal process ahead of the club’s entry into the AFL in 2028.
The Recruitment Process
According to reports confirmed by competition sources, the meeting with Buckley marks the beginning of a formal hiring timeline that is expected to span several months. The Devils’ leadership group, which also includes people and culture manager Lauren Jauncey and football director Alastair Lynch, met as a group to interview a prospective coach.
CEO Brendon Gale has been open about the need for the senior coach to be experienced. While the club has not yet held formal interviews with other candidates, it is expected that Sydney Swans’ premiership coach John Longmire and long-serving Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley will be part of the process.
Candidate Profiles and Experience
The potential candidates represent seasoned coaching resumes in the AFL, though they bring different career trajectories to the table.
- Nathan Buckley: A Collingwood great, Buckley recently returned to coaching as an assistant at Geelong. His previous senior experience includes a 10-year tenure at Collingwood, where he coached the Magpies to within a kick of winning the 2018 premiership and also led them to preliminary finals in 2012 and 2019.
- John Longmire: Longmire concluded his tenure at the Sydney Swans at the end of 2024 with a winning percentage of 62.4 per cent. His record includes five grand finals, including the flag win of 2012.
- Ken Hinkley: Hinkley finished coaching Port Adelaide at the end of last season with a winning percentage of 59.6 per cent.
Why the Devils Need an Experienced Leader
The Devils face a significant undertaking in building the club as they prepare to enter the AFL in 2028.
Buckley has spent the current season as the midfield coach at Geelong. The club looks to fill the position by the end of the season.