The Tasmania Football Club has marked a significant step in its build phase with the appointment of two key Football Department positions ahead of its entry into the AFL and AFLW competitions.
Veteran AFL recruiter Derek Hine has been named the club’s inaugural Head of Recruiting, while Tasmanian Todd Patterson will step into the role of Head of List Management & Strategy.
Hine joins the Devils after more than two decades at Collingwood Football Club, where he was instrumental in building premiership teams through his talent identification skills.
Devils CEO Brendon Gale described Hine as a “significant addition” to the Tassie club.
“Derek brings a wealth of experience, insight and credibility to our Club,” Gale said.
“He has a proven track record, and his passion for talent identification and team building aligns perfectly with our vision for the Tasmania Devils.”
Hine said he is enthusiastic about helping shape Tasmania’s football future, saying Tasmania “has always been” a proud football state.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help build a club from the ground up and to be part of something truly historic,” he said.
“In my discussions with Brendon and Alastair Lynch I have been truly inspired by the culture of excellence, teamwork and community that the Tasmania Devils Football Club already embodies.”
Todd Patterson comes to the Devils from Melbourne Football Club, where he played a crucial role in their AFLW program, helping build their premiership-winning team in 2022.
The Tasmanian native brings experience across both men’s and women’s programs, with Gale praising his “data-informed and values-driven style” to list management.
“As a proud Tasmanian the opportunity to help build the teams that will represent our state in the AFL and AFLW is something that stirs immense pride and determination inside of me,” Patterson said.
“The hard work has started well before today, but from a football sense it is time now to roll our sleeves up and leave no stone unturned to build the most competitive teams that we can.”
Both appointments begin their roles in May.
