Devils deliver historic win on debut

The Tasmania Devils have marked their long-awaited return to the VFL in style, securing a historic first win over Coburg at North Hobart Oval in front of a crowd of more than 10,000 fans.

In their first VFL match since 2008 and the first outing for the revamped club, the Devils ran out 96–79 winners in a result that signalled an exciting new era for football in the state.

The atmosphere at North Hobart Oval reflected the significance of the moment, with a capacity crowd turning out to witness the club’s return to the competition after nearly two decades.

Tasmania set the tone early, taking the lead in the first quarter and building momentum throughout the match before holding off a late challenge from Coburg.

Forward Jed Hagan was among the standouts, while Sam Siggins etched his name into the history books by kicking the Devils’ first goal in VFL competition.

The win marks a major milestone in Tasmania’s football journey, with the Devils using the VFL as a stepping stone towards their entry into the AFL in 2028.

For many in attendance, the result carried added significance after years of campaigning for a Tasmanian AFL team.

The strong turnout and vocal support underlined the appetite for top-level football in the state.

While it is only the first game of the season, the Devils’ opening win has set an early benchmark and provided a glimpse of what the future could hold as the club builds towards its AFL debut.