{"id":841805,"date":"2026-08-03T12:29:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T12:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/841805\/"},"modified":"2026-08-03T12:29:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T12:29:11","slug":"tasmania-devils-poach-key-geelong-figure-nigel-lappin-as-head-of-development-in-massive-coup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/841805\/","title":{"rendered":"Tasmania Devils poach key Geelong figure Nigel Lappin as head of development in massive coup"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Tasmania Devils<\/a> have secured their first key coaching plank alongside Ken Hinkley, landing Geelong<\/a> guru Nigel Lappin as the club\u2019s inaugural head of development.\u00a0<\/p>\n

7NEWS understands a deal to lure Lappin was clinched in the last 48 hours with an announcement imminent.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It is expected he will remain with the Cats for the remainder of the 2026 campaign.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

The Devils had prioritised signing a development boss as their next major appointment after last month landing Hinkley on a five-year deal until the end of 2031.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The club will soon welcome a fresh batch of the country\u2019s best 17-year-old\u2019s who will be eligible to play VFL in 2027 before the inaugural AFL season in 2028.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lappin has been widely regarded as the AFL\u2019s best development coach for more than a decade and has previously knocked back significant offers to remain with the Cats.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Carlton last year made a significant approach to Lappin to work alongside join his former Brisbane premiership captain Michael Voss.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tasting flag success as an assistant coach in his first season at Geelong in 2009, Lappin has enjoyed a close bond with Lions premiership teammate Chris Scott since his arrival in 2011.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lappin is seen as being an instrumental in the growth of a long list Geelong diamonds in the rough including Mark Blicavs, Ollie Dempsey, Oisin Mullin and Tom Stewart.\u00a0<\/p>\n

His name was at the top of Hinkley\u2019s target list with the pair spending one season together at the Cats in 2009.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lappin will also now link up with triple premiership Lions teammate Alastair Lynch who is the Devils\u2019 football director.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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