Tasmanian football Hall of Famer to lend support to Hobart

A Tassie football Hall of Famer will switch from a Demon to a Tiger to offer short-term support to the club where his son is a premiership coach. See the latest with the coach recruitment >>

Outgoing Hobart Football Club playing coach Alex Gilmour. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Hobart Football Club president Josh Munting says that while the timing of outgoing coach Alex Gilmour’s departure isn’t ideal the club has spoken to a number of experienced candidates for his replacement.

Gilmour, who had a season to run on his deal, tendered his resignation due to “personal reasons” late last week with the Southern Football League (SFL) season due to kick off in seven weeks.

Munting said that the club had worked quickly to ensure the players had direction with such a big change so close to the start of the season.

That direction will come in the interim from Nathan Hartnett and former North Hobart legend Darryn Perry alongside existing coaches Jason Green and Damian Butler.

“We have spoken to a number of experienced candidates and we are working hard to find the next coach to lead us forward,” Munting said.

Hobart Football Club president Josh Munting. Picture: Kenji Sato

While Munting said they were still hoping to bolster the depth of their reserves side, he was confident they would secure a new coach sooner rather than later.

Perry, a Tasmanian football Hall of Fame inductee and four-time Demons premiership player, will assist Hartnett until a permanent coach is signed.

Former champion footballer Darryn Perry will assist the Tigers players until a coach can be found. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

This won’t be Perry’s first time in a leadership position at the Tigers, with the former Demons captain and coach playing the assistant role to son Will during the 2017 season where he led Hobart’s under 18 side to an undefeated season and a premiership in his first year at the helm.

The rookie coach also won the SFL’s coach of the year award after he took the side from winless in 2016 to undefeated in 2017.

William Perry, the son of Darryn, who coached the U18 Hobart Tigers in 2017. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

While the club couldn’t confirm who they had spoken to about the coaching role, The Mercury understands a number of former SFL and TSL coaches are in its sights including a New Norfolk premiership coach and former North Hobart state league senior coach.