Sport
24 July, 2026
Hinkley to coach the Devils
CAMPERDOWN football product Ken Hinkley has been appointed coach of the AFL’s 19th club, the Tasmania Football Club, as it prepares to enter the national competition in 2028.
Hinkley, who has signed on for five years, won the role ahead of strong candidates Nathan Buckley and John Longmire.
“To all the Tassie believers, I just want to say thank you for the vote of confidence,” Hinkley said in a video message sent to Devils supporters by the club.
“It’s such an exciting time for Tasmania and all the true believers.”
Devils chairman Grant O’Brien (in a press release) outlined the reasons for Hinkley being successful in getting the role.
“Ken’s ability to build relationships with young players, and to build an environment that people want to be part of is exceptional, it is the number one reason we believe he is the right fit for this club.”
Having played 132 games for Fitzroy and Geelong between 1987 and 1995, Hinkley joined the former Mortlake Football Club as coach in 1996 after retiring from the AFL following Geelong’s heavy loss to Carlton in the grand final.
Hinkley led Mortlake for three seasons, before heading back to home club Camperdown, coaching the Magpies to back to back flags in 1999 and 2000.
He returned to AFL ranks in 2001 in an assistant coach role at St Kilda but only stayed one year, before taking the helm at Geelong Football League Club Bell Park in 2002 and 2003, leading the Dragons to the 2003 flag.
Hinkley then served as an assistant coach at Geelong between 2004-2009 and at the Gold Coast Suns in 2011 and 2012.
Taking over as Port Adelaide coach in 2013, Hinkley led the Power in 297 games, the most games coached for the club in the AFL era and second overall to John Cahill.
Hinkley’s record with the Power was 174 wins and 123 losses, with three preliminary final appearances.
Hinkley is the longest-serving coach of any AFL club to not qualify for a grand final.
Tasmania is currently playing in the Victorian Football League competition as it builds towards joining the top level in 2028.
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