Tasmania Devils unveil first eight players ahead of 2028 AFL debut

The Tasmania Devils have unveiled the first eight players for the club’s planned AFL debut in 2028, selecting teenage prospects from across Australia ahead of next year’s national draft. The players, all aged 17, were introduced at an event in Hobart this week. They have committed to Tasmania under bespoke list concessions and will spend next year combining football development with study and other training commitments.

Among the group is West Australian ruckman Axel Walsh, a 202-centimetre prospect regarded in the supplied material as the leading candidate for next year’s national draft’s top pick. Walsh said he was excited by the opportunity and identified Luke Jackson and Max Gawn as players he admired. Walsh has family connections in Tasmania, including an aunty, uncle and three cousins in Glenorchy, Hobart.

He said the club’s presentation, which included a video about Tasmania’s football history and the significance of its map emblem, gave him “goosebumps”. The eight players will divide their time next year between the Devils’ VFL team, Tasmania’s under-18s, gym sessions, study and visits to their home states. List boss Todd Patterson said each player’s development would be managed according to their individual circumstances.

The recruitment process began with letters of interest sent earlier this year to about two dozen leading under-18 players. Patterson said the club’s offer included financial terms, but maintained that the players were primarily attracted by the chance to join Tasmania. Each player has signed a four-year contract and is expected to earn about $150,000 next year.

Hugh McCallum is the only Tasmanian in the initial group. The other named players include Victorians Jake Miller, Griffin Barker, Baxter Sruk and Angus Brown. Brown said he had not initially received a letter of interest and had to earn an opportunity through his form before pursuing an interview with recruiter Derek Hine.