POINTING to Geelong's success in attracting big-name talent, Nigel Lappin has shrugged off the disdain from Jack Ginnivan about one day coming to Tasmania.

Lappin spoke to the media on Tuesday in his new role as head of development at the Tasmania Devils, after 18 years in development coaching at the Cats.

The days of Geelong struggling to attract star recruits are long gone, shown again by GWS captain Toby Greene heading its recruits in last month's trade period.

Ginnivan said last month his Melbourne lifestyle was too elite to consider a move from Hawthorn to the Devils.

"Definitely come across and experience it. It won't be for everybody, but it will be for some," Lappin said when asked about Ginnivan.

"We've experienced that first-hand in Geelong. There's a certain sort of person who loves to spend a lot of time, raise a family or just come and experience all this great state has to offer.

"There's no doubt we'll attract people. Just to be really blunt and honest, what's going to attract people the most - it's difficult initially - but hopefully we can build an amazing culture and get this team winning, showing what the future's going to look like."

Lappin, one of Brisbane's Fab Four midfield in its 2001-03 premiership three-peat, first came to Tasmania outside of football with his family six years ago and has since bought a holiday shack on Bruny Island.

He was also lured by old Geelong connections now at the Devils, including Matthew Knights and senior coach Ken Hinkley.

"I feel like they're trying to build something really special," Lappin said of the expansion club ahead of its 2028 AFL debut.

"It reminded me a bit of what Geelong had been through, the type of environment they've been able to build. I got pretty excited, pretty quickly when Ken got on board."

Lappin will work extensively with the teenage draftees who will be the backbone of the first Devils list.

"My main role is that on Grand Final day - one day, hopefully sooner rather than later - these guys can stand up on their own two feet and don't need me as a coach," he said.

"But they always want you there by their side and they know they have you as support."

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