Inside Ken\u2019s reverse pitch to land Tassie job… and how he beat Horse, Bucks<\/a><\/p>\nVoss said he won\u2019t be going back into senior coaching, but you\u2019d expect his good mate Hinkley will reach out to be part of the Devils in a senior role.<\/p>\n
Brent Montgomery and Chad Cornes were also Hinkley\u2019s at Port as options to join him in the coaches box.<\/p>\n
If Montgomery misses out on the other senior coaching openings, the current Giants assistant could be an ideal senior assistant for Hinkley and help form the brain\u2019s trust in his team.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Cornes, who, like Hinkley, departed Port at the end of last season, was a foundation player for the Giants. So he ticks multiple boxes.<\/p>\n
A few others to watch for coaching, development and leadership gigs.<\/p>\n
Port Adelaide champion Travis Boak would surely be another one of Hinkley\u2019s first calls as one of his most beloved players that he shared a close relationship with.<\/p>\n
Hinkley and Boak personified that gritty Port Adelaide culture during their longstanding run together. <\/p>\n
So Boak, who\u2019s now at Carlton as its performance and culture manager, would be an ideal culture setter for Tassie, too. <\/p>\n
In a similar vein, Giants legend Callan Ward is widely credited as being one of the crucial leaders for the expansion club as its inaugural co-captain.<\/p>\n
GWS loved Ward so much that it retained him in a part-time role as business and football adviser after his retirement last year.<\/p>\n
If you want a respected figure that knows how to get an expansion club off the ground the right way and set standards, Ward is your guy.<\/p>\n
Speaking of good leaders and young blood for the footy department, Collingwood champion Jeremy Howe is Tasmanian and will surely be widely coveted when he calls time on his playing career.<\/p>\n
Howe is playing well enough to play on next year, so the timing could be perfect for the 36-year old to join Tassie the following season.<\/p>\n
Heck, depending on how is body holds up, it\u2019s not crazy to suggest Howe could be a part-time player and coach for the Devils in a similar mould to inaugural Giants James McDonald, Dean Brogan, Chad Cornes and Luke Power.<\/p>\n
Other highly regarded Tassie veterans in their twilight playing days include Demons forward Brody Mihocek and Richmond skipper Toby Nankervis.<\/p>\n
Other Tassie blood around the comp includes Saints assistant Brendon Bolton, North Melbourne list boss Brady Rawlings and brother and Fremantle assistant Jade Rawlings.<\/p>\n
Hinkley set for Devils | 01:54<\/p>\n
TRADE, FREE AGENCY TARGETS TASSIE THAT CASHED-UP DEVILS ARE READY TO RAID<\/p>\n
The Devils have been granted an aggressive start-up framework of concessions to help the club recruit players from rivals. <\/p>\n
That includes a $5 million sign-on bonus that sits outside the salary cap spread over 2028 and 2029. <\/p>\n
As well as the ability to sign one uncontracted player from each of the other 18 clubs across 2027\/28 as \u2018free agents\u2019 without giving up a draft pick.<\/p>\n
Those clubs that lose the player will still get a compensation pick.<\/p>\n
And while Tassie will have a suite of first-round picks over those 2027 and 2028 drafts, it\u2019ll be made to trade selections 5, 7, 11 and 13 in year one and Pick 5 in years two and three.<\/p>\n
But the Devils has multiple years it can trade those picks, meaning it can roll them over within the next two drafts if they can\u2019t find suitable deals. <\/p>\n
The other mechanism is the rights to trade four mini-draft selections over two years to give rival clubs access to star 17-year olds for following drafts.<\/p>\n
In simpler terms, look out rival clubs \u2013 Tassie is well armed to go shopping for players. <\/p>\n
They\u2019ll rightfully shoot for the stars with the biggest names out of contract in 2027.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a crop headlined by Brisbane\u2019s Logan Morris, Geelong\u2019s Jeremy Cameron, Gold Coast pair Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson, Giants duo Tom Green and Lachie Ash, Hawthorn\u2019s Will Day, Port Adelaide\u2019s Mitch Georgiades, St Kilda\u2019s Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Sydney\u2019s Chad Warner.<\/p>\n
With help from its sign-on bonus, Tassie could simply throw the $5 million kitchen sink at one of those names \u2013 or $2.5 million each to a couple.<\/p>\n
Tom Green could be the ideal first captain of the Devils (Photo by Russell Freeman\/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
Though contracted through 2027, you also just have to ask the question of Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos. There\u2019s been enough trade smoke around him.<\/p>\n
Fremantle stars Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong are also contracted long-term but the types you\u2019d love leading a new club. <\/p>\n
Green is one that appears firmly on the Devils\u2019 radar and he has inaugural captain written all over him. <\/p>\n
The Giants bull, currently sidelined with an ACL injury, makes all the sense in the world to go chips in on.<\/p>\n
If it\u2019s not Green, Fremantle captain Alex Pearce is also out of contract next year and from Tasmania. <\/p>\n
Pearce would be a great first skipper for the Devils, and if nothing else, a marshal for their back six and much-needed leadership presence.<\/p>\n
Veteran Cats defender Tom Stewart also fits that mould and he too is set to come out of contract.<\/p>\n
Having esteemed leaders like Pearce and Stewart around would be as important as having high-end talent.<\/p>\n
As far as elder statesmen go, you\u2019d also be looking at the likes of Ben Keays, Dayne Zorko, Patrick Cripps, Jamie Elliott, Luke Ryan, Touk Miller, Lachie Whitfield, Tom Lynch, Jayden Short, Brad Hill and Rory Lobb.<\/p>\n
You couldn\u2019t convince Max Gawn or Brodie Grundy to be your start-up ruckman, could you? Hinkley seems like a pretty compelling guy… <\/p>\n
If not, you can picture Tasmanian Toby Nankervis battling out there in the myrtle green, if his body holds up.<\/p>\n
Then there\u2019s younger, long-term players. <\/p>\n
The two most obvious names are Tassie products Ryley Sanders and Colby McKercher.<\/p>\n
Sanders is due to come out of contract at the Dogs next year, so the Devils could snare him for nothing.<\/p>\n
Tasmanian Ryley Sanders is out of contract at the Bulldogs next year (Photo by Daniel Pockett\/AFL Photos\/via Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, McKercher is contracted at North through 2028, so Tassie would have to either acquire him via trade or sign him at the end of its first season. <\/p>\n
Kangaroos young gun Finn O\u2019Sullivan and Richmond former No. 1 pick Sam Lalor would be other dream targets. There\u2019s already been strong links to fellow Tiger and Tasmanian Rhyan Mansell. In fact, the Tigers have a few Apple Aisle natives on their list, with Sam Banks and Seth Campbell also from Tassie.<\/p>\n
Other Tassie players around the league include Adelaide\u2019s Chayce Jones, Carlton\u2019s Lachie Cowan, Collingwood\u2019s Jeremy Howe, Geelong\u2019s Jake Kolodjashnij, Gold Coast\u2019s Lachie Weller, GWS\u2019 James Leake and Melbourne\u2019s Brody Mihocek.<\/p>\n
Like Green, Pearce and Mansell, Collingwood\u2019s Beau McCreery and North Melbourne\u2019s Charlie Comben are other names that have already been linked to the Devils and set to come out of contract next season.<\/p>\n
And, of course, those with natural connections to Hinkley. <\/p>\n
You genuinely wonder if Zak Butters could\u2019ve been Tassie bound, if he were out of contract next year.<\/p>\n
Port Adelaide stars Georgiades, Miles Bergman and Aliir Aliir are out of contract in 2027 as three Hinkley and the Devils are sure to covet.<\/p>\n
Other notable names out of contract in 2027<\/p>\n
Lachlan MacAndrew, Sid Draper, Sam Berry (Adelaide), Kai Lohmann, Keidean Coleman (Brisbane), Jordan De Goey (Collingwood), Sam De Koning (Geelong), Jake Stringer (GWS), James Sicily, Karl Amon, Jack Ginnivan, Mabior Chol (Hawthorn), Harrison Petty, Trent Rivers (Melbourne), Josh Smillie, Taj Hotton (Richmond), Rowan Marshall, Max Hall, Jack Sinclair, Hugo Garcia, Alix Tauru (St Kilda), Hayden McLean, Tom McCartin (Sydney), Cody Weightman, Matt Kennedy (Western Bulldogs)<\/p>\n
TASSIE\u2019S PRE-LIST OPTIONS: THE \u2018UNICORN\u2019 AND THE FORWARD WHO COULD PLAY TOMORROW<\/p>\n
Another key part of Tasmania\u2019s list concessions is its extraordinary draft capital, as well as an ability to pre-list the best young talent in the country 12 months before being draft eligible.<\/p>\n
The Devils can pre-select up to 12 17-year-olds across 2026 and 2027 before they become draft eligible, with all recruits signing mandatory four-year deals. The club can pre-select up to eight in either year \u2014 for example, eight in 2026 and four in 2027 \u2014 but are understood to be leaning towards an even 6-6 split.<\/p>\n
It is the same mechanism that allowed the Giants in 2010 to add the likes of Jeremy Cameron, Dylan Shiel, Adam Treloar, Nathan Wilson and Jack Hombsch to their inaugural list.<\/p>\n
On top of that, the Devils have been handed Picks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 in the 2027 national draft. Picks 5, 7, 11 and 13 must be traded to other clubs for either players or other draft picks.<\/p>\n
AFL Media reported earlier this year the Devils sent out letters of intent to 22 young players in their 17th years. Those players \u2013 a mix of open-pool and club-tied 2027 draft prospects \u2013 can turn down the Devils and instead enter the open draft.<\/p>\n
But becoming a pre-listed Devil would have ample perks.<\/p>\n
CODE Sports reported last month the Devils can pay their 2027 pre-listed players $150,000 next year. It\u2019s the same salary as the base wage top-10 national draft picks receive.<\/p>\n
So it means pre-listed Devils could spend their \u2018draft year\u2019 developing in the club\u2019s system and playing in the Talent League and\/or VFL \u2013 all while earning a six-figure salary with great contract security.<\/p>\n
And even if they turned down the Devils, there\u2019s every chance they\u2019d get picked by Tassie in the open draft anyway, considering the club would have three top-10 picks.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a good year for Tassie to have draft access like this. While the 2026 draft pool is well regarded for its depth, the top-end of the 2027 class is absolutely stacked.<\/p>\n
East Perth\u2019s Axel Walsh is near the top of Tassie\u2019s hit list. A 202cm star who looms as the AFL\u2019s next unicorn, Walsh was outstanding as a bottom-ager in WA\u2019s recent Under 18 national championships campaign, booting 3.5 and averaging 12.8 disposals, 4.3 marks and 10.3 hit-outs playing four games as a forward-ruck.<\/p>\n
Hinkley is already familiar with Walsh as he\u2019s the brother of Port Adelaide rookie Xavier Walsh.<\/p>\n
Top WA prospect Axel Walsh could be on Tassie\u2019s radar (Photo by Janelle St Pierre\/AFL Photos\/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cI know Axel \u2013 I know his talent. I know what he\u2019s about and I know how good he can be,\u201d Hinkley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would love to think and hope he will be a part of the Tasmania Football Club in the future, but a lot of things to cross before that happens yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you\u2019d be surprised, I\u2019ve been watching the 17-year-olds a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fellow WA teammate James Artemis \u2013 the brother of Essendon mid-season draftee Jaxon Artemis \u2013 also played all four games for WA and impressed, highlighted by two-goal, 21-disposal outing against SA at the start of the carnival. It comes after Artemis claimed WA\u2019s Under 16 MVP award last year. Artemis, who\u2019s coincidentally a close mate of Walsh\u2019s, is an exciting midfielder who breaks lines with his run and carry.<\/p>\n
Then there\u2019s a couple of Vic Metro stars in Jake Miller and Baxter Sruk.<\/p>\n
In a dominant 4-0 Metro campaign, Miller was arguably his side\u2019s best forward. A 197cm forward out of the Western Jets, Miller kicked 5.3 \u2013 including a haul of four goals against SA \u2013 and averaged 13 disposals and nine marks from three games \u2013 one year after he captained Vic Metro\u2019s Under 16s side to the title. At times, Miller looked capable of slotting straight into an AFL side this year, such was the confidence and authority he played with. He covers the ground well, while he\u2019s a strong mark and a beautiful left-foot kick at goal.<\/p>\n
Young guns star for Essendon v GWS | 03:34<\/p>\n
Sruk is an exciting left-footed ball magnet out of the Eastern Ranges. A busy and powerful 182cm prospect with a great workrate, Sruk had 18 disposals against SA in his sole Under 18s game for Metro this year. Last year at the Under 16 carnival, he won Vic Metro\u2019s MVP award and claimed the Kevin Sheehan Medal as the Pool A best and fairest after averaging two goals and 27 touches per match.<\/p>\n
Crafty Bendigo Pioneers forward Max Thompson is another name on the Tassie radar. Thompson was Vic Country\u2019s Under 16s MVP last year after kicking a carnival-high 10 goals \u2013 including five against Vic Metro \u2013 while averaging 15.7 disposals and 5.7 marks from three games. He then featured in all four games for Country as a bottom-ager at this year\u2019s Under 18 champs, switching between the forward and defensive halves with great effect.<\/p>\n
Other names to watch out for include Sandringham Dragons\u2019 Angus Brown, Gippsland Power duo Cohen Dent and Oscar Henwood, Sturt key defender Harvey Chapman, Norwood forward-midfielder Kai Ivins, Sturt on-baller Taj Garrett and Perth\u2019s Flynn Tomasini.<\/p>\n
The Devils can also pre-list any club-tied players \u2013 and there\u2019s a lot at the top of next year\u2019s pool. From the north there\u2019s Cooper French (Giants academy), Taj Murray (Gold Coast academy) and Jackson Bridge (Brisbane academy), while there\u2019s an array of NGA and father-son prospects like Zemes Pilot (Port Adelaide), Louis Salopek (Port Adelaide) and Koby Bewick (Essendon), who could choose the Devils or their own clubs.<\/p>\n
The Devils can also pre-select eligible Tasmanian-based players in advance of each of the first four national drafts (2027 to 2030) in which they participate. Glenorchy\u2019s Jake Beams, the son of former Demon Ben Beams, would be close to the top of the state\u2019s 2027 talent pool with his elite kick, along with Benji Russell.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ken Hinkley officially has the keys to Tasmania. Now it\u2019s time to build his dream team. Hinkley has…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":811787,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":["post-811786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-afl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/811786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=811786"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/811786\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/811787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=811786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=811786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=811786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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