Former Hobart captain Dan Gray set to coach club’s senior SFL side in 2024
Hobart have appointed a former captain to lead its return to the SFL senior competition. See why he has returned.
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The Hobart Football Club’s senior resurrection has begun with the appointment of former captain Daniel Gray as senior coach.
Gray, a member of the Tigers last senior premiership in 1999, was appointed to the role earlier this week.
The club failed to field a senior side in 2023 but did field a reserves side with around 40 players currently signed for next season.
Gray, who played 173 senior games in yellow and black, was excited to return into the football fold and was putting the recruitment of good people at the forefront of his mind heading into pre-season.
“It’s exciting to be back and I’m looking forward to getting in and enjoying ourselves,” he said.
“It’s going to be a long road but we are going to smile and make the place lovely again and hopefully a few people return.
“Without knowing a great deal around the makeup of those 40 gentleman, initially it will be about enjoying ourselves and going out and working hard for each other.
“The way that I’m sort of approaching the recruitment side of things is that we will recruit good people to the footy club and if they can play footy then that’s a bonus.”
While completely aware of the club’s struggles over the last few years, Gray was confident an honest approach across the board could see the Tigers once again find their roar.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been involved in the footy space but I think I’m fairly inclusive and I like to empower the playing group,” Gray said.
“I like to be honest with things around performance and how we represent the club.
“I think if we are honest with each other then the wheel will turn and we will start to see some results.”
The club will also appoint a reserves coach prior to the season with 2023 coach Will Perry electing not to return next year.
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