VFL assistant takes on Magpies coaching job

THE last piece of the TSL coaching puzzle for 2018 has been completed with Glenorchy securing Paul Kennedy as its successor to Aaron Cornelius.

Kennedy was head development coach and a senior assistant at VFL outfit Coburg this season, having crossed from Hawthorn affiliate Box Hill where he spent two years in an assistant role.

The former Frankston, Sandringham and Sturt midfielder was runner-up in the J.J. Liston Medal (VFL best and fairest) and named in the team of the year in 2008.

He played in Sandringham’s 2005 premiership side and captained Frankston for two seasons in 2010-11.

Kennedy will be the sixth new coach for next year’s State League season.

It is understood Glenorchy had short-listed three candidates to replace 2016 premiership coach Cornelius, who ended his four-year tenure at KGV and accepted a position with NEAFL club Southport.

Former Tigers coach Adam Henley was believed to be the initial front runner for the Pies job, before Kennedy was given the nod.

Peter Ryan, who played in Glenorchy’s 1999 Statewide premiership team, was also in the mix.

North Hobart announced last week that 2003 premiership big man Richie Robinson was taking over from Kane Richter, who is moving to Cairns.

Richter’s assistant for the past two years and state under-17 coach Trent Baumeler has been handed the reins at Tigers, replacing Aaron Vince, who oversaw the 2016 campaign following the sacking of Scott Mathieson two weeks before the start of the season.

Brent Plant is returning to Burnie — he will be joined by former Gold Coast player Luke Russell who is taking up a play- ing assistant role — while fellow North West club Devonport has named Simon Dent as a replacement for Mitch Thorp, who stood down at the end of the season and will join Launceston in 2018.

North Launceston premiership coach Tom Couch is also believed to have told the club he is leaving halfway through his two-year deal to accept a playing assistant position in Victoria, with skipper Taylor Whitford the favourite to step into the coaching cauldron.