Hinds to lead Blues as AFL star also returns to Windsor Park

Jake Hinds will return to Launceston as the Blues’ new head coach, while a former AFL star will also be back at Windsor Park next season. Get the latest on the club’s leadership shake-up here.

New Launceston coach Jake Hinds (right) huges Bailey Gillow after the Blues won the 2022 TSL grand fianl. Picture: Linda Higginson

One of Launceston’s favourite sons has been charged with leading them into a new era, with Jake Hinds to return to the Blues as senior coach next year.

And a home-grown former AFL star will also return to the fold in a coup officials hope will entice other players back to the club.

Hinds, who was an assistant under three-time premiership coach Mitch Thorp last year before taking the same role at Bridgenorth this season, has decided the time is right for his first head coaching job.

The playing group was told of Hinds’ appointment at a meeting on Thursday night with the star forward locked in on a two-year deal.

Club junior Jackson Thurlow, who played 63 AFL games for Geelong and Sydney, will also be back at Windsor Park next year.

Thurlow won a TSL flag with the Blues in 2011 as a 17-year-old, before returning to be a part of their 2022 premiership win.

Other commitments had prevented him from playing in a state league the last two seasons, but the 30-year-old is now ready for a swan song at the Blues.

Launceston president Scott Stephens is confident Hinds’ previous relationship with a portion of the existing squad will help them as they prepare for the first NTFA Premier League season in 2025.

“He’s someone who’s got a connection with the boys and with a lot of the guys who have left the club, it’s important to try and get some players and depth back,” Stephens said.

“Now that the TSL is finished it’d be great to get some home grown players back, because that will help us with the points system.

“He’s got pretty good views on how he thinks the game should be played, offensively and defensively.

“His relationship building is a strength and one we’ll be working closely with him on to recruit guys back, but also nurture the talented kids we’ve already got who’ve been exposed to senior footy under Mitch the last 12 months.”

Stephens said a strong football department will be assembled around Hinds to ensure he can focus purely on the squad.

Current skipper Brodie Palfreyman has also agreed to be an assistant coach under Hinds next year.

“The coaching side of things is new to him, so we’ll be setting up a pretty active footy department that will be there to support him, and provide Jake with the right resources to grow and evolve within the role,” Stephens said.

“This role, unlike what we’ve had with (predecessors) Sam Lonergan and Mitch, is there is no employment as part of it.

“It’s purely coaching and managing the squad. The board will run the club completely separate, all Jake has to worry about is coaching.

“He’s 25 and has a full time job. We just want him to focus on the boys, upskill the young kids and prepare them for footy.

“Brodie has agreed to be an assistant, and we’ll have senior assistant coaches to run the team on game day.”

Stephens said the club would also hold talks with former premiership captain Jobi Harper on a return to the club after he stepped away from football midway through last season.

“We’ll definitely be having a conversation with Jobi, just to see what he’s up to,” Stephens said.

“His life’s moved on a bit since he finished up with footy last year. He’s a fireman now so we have to work in with his professional life.

“If he’s interested we’d love to have that conversation with him as a past premiership captain.”

Launceston have focused largely on bringing their young players through this year and haven’t qualified for TSL finals.