Multiple outlets report that Ken Hinkley is close to being appointed as the inaugural AFL coach for Tasmania. PerthNow and The West Australian both state that the club—referred to as “the Devils”—has nearly finalised the arrangement and that an official announcement is expected soon. The reports present the appointment as a near-complete process rather than a finalised, formally confirmed decision, indicating that timing for the announcement remains pending. While the articles describe the expected selection of Hinkley and the historic nature of the role for Tasmania’s first AFL coaching appointment, they do not provide further confirmed details in the supplied excerpts beyond the expectation of imminent confirmation. Both sources align on the core points: Hinkley is the expected choice, the Devils are close to completing the appointment, and an official announcement is anticipated shortly. Until a formal statement is made by the club or AFL, the appointment remains reported as forthcoming based on the latest information from those outlets.