AFL Tasmania announced on Tuesday that the football veteran will replace Adam Sanders as under-18 Tassie Mariners coach as a result of a talent program restructure recommended by last year’s infamous Garlick report. 

The new coaching panel will also see Trent Baumeler mentor the under-17s and North Launceston assistant Brett Mansell coach the under-16s.

“You want to see some fellas put their name up to be drafted but it is important that we want the team to be successful as well, everyone looks for how the Mariners are going,” Spaulding said.

“They are certainly a very important team in Tassie footy, they represent the whole state and we want them performing well and representing our state well.”

No Tasmanians were drafted into the AFL system in 2016 and the Mariners fell significantly short in all three division 2 under-18 national championship matches.

Sanders has been employed as the North’s talent manager, while Mathew Armstrong will oversee Southern athletes. 

AFL Tasmania chief executive Rob Auld said a state talent manager was yet to be appointed to govern the new regional model designed to “remove postcode barriers”.

“The new regional model is only in its infancy but we have already seen a profound impact with more numbers than ever in our satellite programs with consistent meaningful local engagement,” Auld said.