Baumeler opts for Tigers
THE decision of Kane Richter to not reapply for North Hobart’s senior coaching position has played a role in his assistant Trent Baumeler also seeking a fresh start for 2018.
After spending 24 hours deliberating whether to throw his hat in the ring for the Demons job, Baumeler has left the club after three seasons to accept the senior gig at fellow TSL outfit Tigers.
He will become the fourth coach at the Tigers in the space of just over 12 months following Adam Henley’s resignation at the end of the 2016 season.
Henley’s replacement, Scott Mathieson, was sensationally sacked on the eve of this season, with Aaron Vince taking over for the campaign.
Baumeler admitted he gave serious consideration to the Demons job, but the opportunity to put his own imprint on a new team was too hard to ignore.
“Having spent three years at Hobart City with Kane on that journey with those boys and building those relationships, it was always going to be a hard call to potentially walk away from that,” said Baumeler, who will also relinquish his role as state under-17 coach.
“Probably Kane going and making his decision, which is fantastic for him to get the opportunity he did, made it a little bit easier. To be honest I probably wouldn’t have walked away from him if he was still around. But it just became clear to make a clean break and start something fresh with a new group with my message, instead of giving it to a group that has heard it for a couple of years anyway, was best.”
The Demons confirmed via their Facebook page Baumeler was a candidate to replace Richter.
They are one of three clubs, alongside Glenorchy and now premier North Launceston, yet to appoint a coach for next year after Lauderdale confirmed it has reappointed Darren Winter.
Despite being unavailable to take the reins in an official match day role for the first six weeks of 2018 following his suspension from the grand final, Winter will extend his stay at the helm into a ninth season. Bombers assistant and former North Hobart coach Clint Brown will take match day duties while Winter is sidelined.
Glenorchy is still searching for a replacement for 2016 premiership coach Aaron Cornelius while Northern Bombers premiership coach Tom Couch will return to Victoria.