Tasmania Devils are deep into the search for their inaugural AFL coach but a “most important” role must be filled first

Tasmania CEO Brendon Gale has opened up on his search for the Devils’ inaugural AFL coach and the position “most important” to be filled first. What he said.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Joel Selwood of the Cats and Cats head coach Chris Scott celebrate with the Premiership Cup after winning the 2022 AFL Grand Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Both have been flagged as potential future Tasmania Devils. Photos Getty Images

The Tasmania Devils are compiling a top-shelf list of potential coaches to them into their inaugural season in 2028 but Tasmania CEO Brendon Gale says he is in no hurry to make that appointment.

With a goal of making their first appointments by “the middle of the year”, Gale’s attention is laser-focused on finding a list manager and recruiting group to build the AFL’s 19th team for its debut in less than three years and the Devils women in two.

In the first steps toward building a football department, the Tasmania Football Club last month advertised for a head of football and a list manager.

While the Devils’ 210,000 members wait with bated breath to know who will be coach, they might have to wait longer than they expect.

“There’s no urgency around that,” Gale said.

“The most important football appointment is around recruiting list management.

“The players around (age) 16 in those junior pathways are going to be the first cohort of draftees in November 2027.

“We need to know as much as we can about those players – that’s men and women of course.

“And we’ve got some list management concessions we need to resolve with the AFL, the rules that will guide the development of our list.

“It’s those sorts of appointments that are really important around the VFL and football department management.

“A senior coach is important but not as urgent.”

When he was CEO at Richmond, Gale was instrumental in appointing Damien Hardwick as senior coach, who took the Tigers to three premierships in four years.

He also appointed Adem Yze as Hardwick’s replacement at the end of the 2023 season.

John Longmire has been touted as a potential Devils coach. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Gale is keeping his cards close to his chest when it comes to the Devils.

“There is a lot of interest in the team and in the opportunity to be part of history and build something from scratch in those football roles,” he said.

“You get one opportunity as an expansion club to build your list through list concessions.

“So we’ve got to take our time to get it right, and we will, that’s what we are doing.

“And there has been no shortage of interest.”

Names of potential coaches have been flying around since late last year.

The list includes Sydney Swans premiership coach John Longmire, Brisbane Lions premiership coach and local product Chris Fagan, Geelong premiership coach Chris Scott, Collingwood premiership coach Craig McRae, former Collingwood grand final coach Nathan Buckley.

Speculation also extends to next generation coaches like former Pies captain Scott Pendlebury, Geelong premiership captain Joel Selwood, Port Adelaide games record holder Travis Boak and Cats premiership player Patrick Dangerfield.

Their names could be on the Devils’ whiteboard to be sounded out as assistant-coaches and groomed as potential future senior coaches.

Originally published as Tasmania Devils are deep into the search for their inaugural AFL coach but a “most important” role must be filled first