Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
Tasmania coach search developments took a significant turn on Tuesday as reports emerged that Brisbane premiership coach Chris Fagan will not pursue the Devils head coaching position. The update comes as former Sydney coach John Longmire reportedly strengthens his interest in the role, while separate AFL developments have raised fresh concerns over West Coast defender Harry Edwards and revealed a major technology investment for the AFL Review Centre. The news matters because Tasmania is building towards its AFL entry and several key decisions across the league could shape the competition’s future.
Chris Fagan has long been linked to the Tasmania coaching role due to his strong connection to the state.
However, according to Seven reporter Tom Morris, the highly respected Brisbane coach has no intention of taking another senior coaching position once his time with the Lions comes to an end.
Fagan, who guided Brisbane to multiple grand final appearances and premiership success, is contracted through next season.
Reports suggest he is focused solely on completing his tenure with the Lions rather than pursuing fresh opportunities elsewhere.
Fagan Reportedly Planning Final Years
Speaking on Seven, Morris indicated that Fagan is unlikely to coach another AFL club under any circumstances.
The report suggested that even if Tasmania approached him directly, he would decline the opportunity.
Fagan has frequently been viewed as an ideal candidate for the Devils because of his experience, leadership credentials and Tasmanian roots.
Instead, it appears the veteran coach may be approaching the final phase of his coaching career.
According to the report, there is a growing expectation that Fagan could finish coaching after the conclusion of his current contract period.
The timing would align closely with Tasmania’s preparations for its AFL debut.
John Longmire Emerges as Strong Candidate
While Fagan appears to be out of the running, attention has shifted toward former Sydney premiership coach John Longmire.
Nine journalist Callum Twomey reported that Longmire has become increasingly interested in securing the inaugural Tasmania coaching position.
Longmire stepped away from coaching Sydney after a highly successful tenure that included a premiership in 2012 and multiple grand final appearances.
His experience building sustained success makes him one of the most accomplished coaching candidates available.
According to Twomey, Longmire has already met with Tasmania representatives as part of the recruitment process.
A reported meeting with Devils board member Alastair Lynch is understood to have formed part of ongoing discussions.
Further stages of the selection process are expected in the coming weeks.
Tasmania Role Highly Sought After
The Tasmania coaching position is one of the most anticipated appointments in modern AFL history.
The successful candidate will be responsible for building a club from the ground up and establishing its culture before the team enters the competition.
Several experienced football figures have been linked to the role over the past year.
Longmire's growing interest comes despite recent speculation connecting him to potential vacancies at Carlton and Essendon.
His apparent focus on Tasmania suggests he views the opportunity as a unique challenge within the AFL landscape.
Fans can follow the latest AFL club developments through our dedicated league coverage.
Harry Edwards Faces Concussion Assessment
Away from the Tasmania coaching race, West Coast defender Harry Edwards faces uncertainty regarding his playing future.
According to AFL Media, Edwards is scheduled to meet with the AFL concussion panel later this month after suffering three concussions within a three month period.
The first incident occurred during an AAMI Community Series match against Port Adelaide in March.
A second concussion followed against North Melbourne in Round 2.
After spending six weeks recovering, Edwards returned against Melbourne in Round 9 but suffered another setback.
An accidental collision involving teammate Elliot Yeo forced him from the field before he failed a Head Injury Assessment.
The sequence of injuries has prompted further medical review.
Independent Experts to Review Case
Edwards will undergo assessment by an independent panel consisting of medical and neurological experts.
The review process is designed to evaluate player welfare and long term health risks associated with repeated head injuries.
The defender has played 57 AFL matches since making his debut for West Coast in 2020.
His situation has drawn additional attention following the recent medical retirement recommendation involving former Eagles premiership player Jeremy McGovern.
West Coast youngster Hamish Davis is also currently progressing through concussion protocols after being injured during last weekend’s match against North Melbourne.
The AFL continues to place increasing emphasis on concussion management as research and player safety measures evolve.
AFL Invests in New ARC Technology
Meanwhile, the AFL has confirmed a significant investment in upgraded goalline camera technology.
According to reports from CODE Sports journalist Jon Ralph, the new Sony cameras will be deployed across AFL venues and remain in use through to 2031.
The technology upgrade aims to improve the accuracy of AFL Review Centre decisions.
The new cameras reportedly capture footage at 200 frames per second, a substantial increase from the previous 40 frame rate system.
Higher frame rates should provide clearer vision and reduce uncertainty during close scoring reviews.
The AFL Review Centre attracted criticism earlier this season after several controversial decisions involving score reviews and boundary line calls.
League officials hope the upgraded technology will provide greater confidence in future rulings.
Technology Focused on Accuracy
Ralph reported that approximately 100 of the 215 ARC reviews last season involved goalline decisions.
A number of those cases were ultimately inconclusive because available footage lacked sufficient clarity.
The improved cameras are expected to reduce instances where officials cannot make definitive determinations.
While calls for broader technological enhancements remain, the goalline upgrade represents a major step toward improving review accuracy.
As Tasmania's coaching search intensifies, player welfare discussions continue and technology evolves, the AFL finds itself managing several important developments both on and off the field.