Fletcher to lead Devils

THE state’s first full-time TAC Cup coach is excited about returning to his home state and helping guide the next generation of players on their path to the AFL.

Adrian Fletcher beat out a strong field of applicants — including Glenorchy premiership coach Aaron Cornelius, current Mariners coach Lance Spaulding and Launceston coach Sam Lonergan — for the position, which was announced by AFL Tasmania yesterday.

Following a successful AFL career with Geelong, St Kilda, Brisbane and Fremantle after being recruited from Glenorchy, Fletcher has been stationed as AFL Queensland’s academy and high performance coach.

The 49-year-old also coached the Allies, made up of the best players from Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the Swans, Giants, Suns and Lions academy teams, in the under-18 division one national championships this year.

Now he will have full reins on Tasmania’s underage program, which enters the TAC Cup on a full-time basis in 2019 as the Devils.

“I love Tasmania, I love Tasmanian people and I look forward to getting more deeply involved in the future of the game in the state,” Fletcher said.

“Tasmania has and always will be in my DNA.

“I left as an 18-year-old and now that I’m older it is about giving back what I have learned over the journey.

“I am excited to help young Tasmanian talent develop and help them achieve their dreams of playing our great game at the highest level, but also to develop these players as leaders in the football and Tasmanian community more broadly.

“It is an exciting time for Tasmanian football, and entry into the TAC Cup with the Tasmania Devils is the start of a historic new chapter.”

Fletcher will officially start his new role next month.