Young Devils make history

THE first players in Tasmania Devils history have been revealed, with eight young footballers welcomed to the club at a draft-style event in Hobart.
Under list concessions granted by the AFL, the Devils can pre-list up to 12 under-17 players across 2026 and 2027 as they build towards their inaugural AFL season in 2028.
The club’s first seven pre-listed players are Western Australian Axel Walsh and Victorians Jake Miller, Angus Brown, Riley Stratford, Baxter Sruk, Griffin Barker and Nate Jenkins.
The group was selected following extensive assessment by the club’s list management, recruiting and coaching teams, with the players watched across national championships, school and local football.
Tasmanian draft prospect Hugh McCallum was also unveiled as a Devils signing.
McCallum, who suffered a knee injury during the 2026 season, will bypass this year’s AFL Draft and join the Devils program in 2027.
Devils head coach Ken Hinkley said welcoming the club’s inaugural players was another significant milestone on the road to 2028.
“Tonight is a very special evening, and it’s a proud moment to welcome our first group of Tasmania Devils players to our state,” he said.
“I am excited to be working with such a talented group of young footballers, all of whom have tremendous skill sets and AFL attributes already.
“The build of our list is a significant focus for the club and tonight is another great step forward as we move toward 2028.”
Hinkley will work alongside head of development Nigel Lappin and head of academy Matthew Knights to prepare the young players for the club’s AFL entry.
The seven pre-listed players are expected to move to Tasmania later this year and undertake individual development programs in 2027 ahead of the Devils’ AFL debut in 2028.