Nigel Lappin Joins Tasmania Devils as First Head of Development

Nigel Lappin, a 50-year-old development coach and triple-premiership winner with Brisbane, will join the Tasmania Devils in November as their first head of development. The move ends his 18-year tenure at Geelong and represents a major recruitment win for the Devils, who enter the AFL and AFLW in 2028. Lappin is widely regarded as one of the league’s premier development coaches.

Why Tasmania pursued Lappin

The Devils appointed Ken Hinkley as senior coach in July, and Lappin’s hire follows as a critical second piece. Hinkley said development was essential for a new club with draft concessions and access to top under-17 talent in 2027. “When you’ve got a club in a state with great history, we’ve now got to make sure that the development of that football talent down there and the talent we get through the concessions is maximised,” Hinkley said. Devils CEO Brendon Gale called Lappin “among the most respected development coaches in Australian football.”

Lappin’s track record at Geelong

Lappin won three premierships with Brisbane as a player in the early 2000s and built his reputation over 18 years developing talent at Geelong. He is considered among the best development coaches in the league. Lappin will finish the 2026 season with the Cats before moving to Tasmania.

Building culture from the ground up

Lappin said the opportunity to help establish a club from its inception was rare. “Development isn’t just about making better footballers, it’s about building better people, creating strong habits and establishing a culture that lasts,” he said. Tasmania currently sits sixth on the VFL men’s ladder with two rounds remaining before finals, having joined the VFL and VFLW competitions this season.

Timeline and impact on the Devils

Lappin begins in November 2026, giving him over a year to build systems before Tasmania’s full AFL entry in 2028. The club has secured draft and list concessions and will access some of the nation’s best 17-year-olds in 2027. Hinkley believes Lappin’s influence will prove pivotal to the club’s long-term success.

Final Thoughts

Lappin’s appointment strengthens Tasmania’s foundation as it prepares for AFL entry in 2028. With Hinkley in place and Lappin leading development, the Devils have secured two key figures to build a competitive program from scratch.

FAQs

Disclaimer:

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes.  Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.