Eight Devils: The inaugural Tassie signings

The Tasmania Devils have welcomed eight young footballers to the club as they continue preparations for their entry into the AFL in 2028.

The eight players are Tassie local Hugh McCallum, Western Australian Axel Walsh, along with Victorians Jake Miller, Angus Brown, Riley Stratford, Baxter Sruk, Griffin Barker and Nate Jenkins.

Tassie list boss Todd Patterson joined Trade Radio to discuss the club’s recruiting strategy, with the Devils securing the eight youngsters on four-year deals.

The players will spend their first year developing within the club’s pathway before spending the following three years in the AFL system once Tasmania enters the competition.

Patterson said the club has placed a strong emphasis on getting its young talent decisions right as it builds towards its AFL debut.

“We have a full recruiting team across both our men’s and women’s,” Patterson told Sam Edmund and Kane Cornes on Trade Mornings.

“You guys have seen expansion teams in the past and we just have to get these decisions right.

“It’s all well and good bringing all the mature guys through the door, but these young players are going to be the guys that take us forward over the next 10-15 years.”

Patterson revealed the group is expected to arrive in Tasmania in late November, although their initial introduction to the club will be tailored around their upcoming exams.

“The plan is to have them here in late November and get them in for an introductory period,” he added.

“Obviously, a lot of them have exams coming up, so once they wrap them up they’ll come down and then head home for Christmas and be back here after that.”

With the Devils not entering the AFL until 2028, Patterson said the club would take an individual approach to the players’ development throughout their first year.

“Next year will be quite customised,” Patterson said.

“Some will play Talent League for Tasmania and some will progress into VFL, whereas some might not even play for six weeks just to make sure they’re athletically developing.”

The Devils’ latest recruits form part of the club’s long-term strategy to build a playing list capable of competing at AFL level, with Patterson stressing the importance of developing the next generation alongside recruiting more experienced players.