'Things are advancing': Devils narrow in on first coach

Tasmania Devils CEO Brendon Gale is tight-lipped about who will be the club's first AFL coach. (Chris Kidd/AAP PHOTOS)

The Tasmania Devils' hunt for an inaugural coach is at the pointy end, but club boss Brendan Gale is being tight-lipped about candidates.

Gale says the Devils board will soon weigh "one of the most consequential decisions" when appointing an AFL coach.

Ex-Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is considered frontrunner, with experienced duo John Longmire and Ken Hinkley also touted as candidates.

Ex-Magpie coach Nathan Buckley, now an assistant at Geelong, is the frontrunner in Tasmania. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

But Gale is refusing to say just who is at the end of the Devils' search.

"I won't confirm or deny, I think it's inappropriate," he told reporters on Friday.

Gale said the Devils coach would be announced by the end of the current AFL season.

"We have had a number of very open, exploratory discussions with a range of potential candidates or people of interest," he said.

"But it has probably got to the point now where things are advancing.

Former Swans coach John Longmire is believed to be in the running at the Devils. (Steven Markham/AAP PHOTOS)

"These are internal discussions, they're really important. There's some sensitivity attached as well, so it's probably inappropriate to comment any further, other than to say we will do whatever we have to do to make a really strong decision for our footy club.

"I'm confident we will secure a very strong coach."

Despite Carlton and Essendon also being in the market for a new coach, Gale said the Devils won't be rushed into a decision.

"This is probably one of the most consequential decisions a footy club can make," he said.

"We have had time on our side, so we have taken the time and the opportunity to what I think will result in a really strong decision.

"We're not there yet, but I wouldn't have thought we're too far away.

Former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is being touted as a possible candidate. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

"In fact, our commitment is we will have this resolved by the end of the season."

The Devils were also working through their whopping draft hand next year, $5 million sign-on pool, and priority access to local 17-year-olds.

"We have contacted a whole bunch of players ... the sentiment and the enthusiasm has been really encouraging," Gale said.

"(There's) a real excitement about being a part of a new club, albeit off the back of a state with 150 years of tradition for the game."