Tasmania’s approval of the Macquarie Point Stadium establishment confirms the club’s entry into the AFL for the 2028 season.
The AFL has already announced a raft of draft concessions, including providing the club with effectively free access to Tasmanian locals, and seven selections in the top 13 of the 2027 AFL Draft – contingent on Picks 5, 7, 11 and 13 being traded.
The Devils are set to enter at an ideal time, with a strong suite of local players in the 2027 crop as well as variety on the open market at the top end.
Tasmania’s top 10 potential AFL Draft targets
Best Tasmanian prospects
Max Gulliver
Was named captain of the U16s All-Australian side, with his athleticism, ball-winning and skill execution giving him the traits to play across the field. Projects as a prototype midfielder long term but offers great utility value and has already played a pair of Talent League games where he showed his class and composure in glimpses.Â
Sam Husband
Has long been viewed as the standout Tasmanian talent in the 2027 crop, with his ball-winning, clean hands and explosive speed all features of the midfielder’s game. He advertised his well-balanced skillset by claiming U16s All-Australian honours. As well as his skill execution in space, he is not afraid to go in and put his body on the line.
Lucas Heazlewood
Brings a pulsating buzz to the games he plays in with his electric skillset inside 50. Evades traffic, has speed and creativity and can make something out of nothing. A prototype small forward who will excite talent pathway watchers for the next two seasons. A terrific U16s National Championships where he kicked nine goals in three games was crowned by winning Tasmania’s MVP.
Lucas Heazlewood of Tasmania celebrates during a 2025 Marsh AFL National Development Championships U16 Boys match. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)
Chaice Oliver
A seven-goal game at the U16s National Championships put Oliver’s name on the map. Showed his ability to reel in big marks, compete and play taller than his 187cm frame and has excellent goal sense, which was all on show in that game. Has already played senior local footy in Tasmania.
Mason Whitney
An elite running base is the foundation of Whitney’s game, and alongside his clean ball use, made him a prototype link player whose hands you want the ball in going inside 50. An effervescent player with natural ball-winning capability who could also play as a half-back, half-forward or even inside the midfield.Â
Best openly available prospects
Jake Miller (Western Jets)
An uber-talented key forward with sticky hands overhead and the ability to impact at ground level, Miller kicked four goals spearheading Western Jets on Talent League debut. Finished the year with 19 goals from eight Talent League games and nine goals from three games for Vic Metro. Already standing at an imposing 195cm, he can be the focal point of a forward line.
Max Thompson (Bendigo Pioneers)
Made a name for himself as a small forward at the U16s National Development Championships for Vic Country, making the All-Australian side with his work rate and nous standing out. Just as impressively, though, was his ability to impact with his ball use off half-back in seven games at Talent League level for Bendigo. Has plenty of tricks.Â
Baxter Sruk (Eastern Ranges)
A powerful midfielder who seizes his moments and has great polish in front of goals, he is combative and was one of Vic Metro’s standout performers across the carnival. Gets from the inside to outside well and executes well in traffic.Â
Axel Walsh (East Perth)
Has been touted early as a Pick 1 contender given his incredible skill and athleticism for a tall. The Western Australian played the first two games of the U16s National Championships before a partial ACL tear grounded him, averaging 22 disposals and 28 hitouts
Harvey Chapman (Sturt)
The leading openly available South Australian prospect in the 2027 pool, the U16s All-Australian is a star lockdown defender who backs himself to fly for his marks and looks dangerous when given the chance to launch for the footy.Â