Jade Rawlings emerges as smoky for Tasmania’s inaugural coaching role

A recent SANFL premiership-winning coach has emerged as one of the names to watch as the AFL’s newest team continues the search for its first coach.

SANFL premiership-winning coach and recently appointed Fremantle assistant Jade Rawlings is looming as a smokey for the inaugural coach of Tasmania’s AFL team.

While high-profile coaches such as Nathan Buckley and current Geelong supremo Chris Scott have been floated as the inaugural Devils AFL coach, it is understood that Rawlings is seen as a potential suitor by those in coaching circles and this has been communicated to key Tasmania figures.

From Devonport, the former Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne defender and forward, has an extensive coaching resume both in and out of the AFL system.

In 2009 he was the caretaker coach for Richmond, before the Tigers appointed Damien Hardwick, and has had stints as an assistant coach at Brisbane, Melbourne and the Kangaroos.

Jade Rawlings could be the first coach of Tasmania. Picture: Maya Thompson/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

In 2022 he guided Norwood to the SANFL premiership and this year the Redlegs were defeated by Glenelg in a thrilling grand final after winning the minor premiership.

At Norwood, Rawlings – who also coached the South Australian state teams to three wins from three matches against the VFL and WAFL – recruited heavily from Tasmania to give players from his home state a chance in what is largely considered as the strongest state league competition in the country.

He quit the SANFL powerhouse in October to join the Dockers as their backline coach, replacing Matthew Boyd after he moved to Collingwood.

Upon his announcement Rawlings said he was excited to return to the AFL system.

“After a few years away from the AFL system, the more I thought about Fremantle – it just seemed like a perfect fit in so many ways,” he said.

Fremantle executive general manager of football Joe Brierty said Rawlings brought plenty of skills to the Dockers.

Nathan Buckley has been tapped as one of the frontrunners. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“Jade’s ability to build strong relationships and get the very best out the players he has coached will complement our coaching department,” he said.

While the move back into the AFL system has been viewed as a potential precursor for Rawlings getting a role within the Devils coaching ranks – he has said he would be interested in a job with the Tasmanian team but has stopped short of putting his hand up to be the inaugural coach – there are people within coaching ranks who belief that Rawlings is a senior coach in waiting.

Tasmania football director Alastair Lynch told the Herald Sun’s Sacked podcast that the Devils’ first coach did not have to be Tasmanian-born but would have to be prepared to hit the road building a community-based team that unites the entire state.

Former Collingwood coach Buckley is seen within AFL House as a strong contender for the role, and is seen to be open to it.

But fans of Rawlings have not been shy in telling key Devils’ figures how high they rate him.

Rawlings also played for the Devils in the VFL for much of 2006 when North Melbourne-listed players would play for the team under a partial alignment.