Let the impurity of the AFL Draft begin.
Many will say 'continue' is a more apt word to use in the above sentence; such has been the compromised nature of recent drafts.
Since Collingwood father-son prospect Nick Daicos did not receive a bid until Pick 4 of the 2021 AFL Draft, the compromised nature of the draft has been a prominent talking point of every draft crop.
While arguably the top two players in this year's crop are club-tied, there are just three other members of Craft of the Draft's top 45 who are linked to a club.
But with the 2027 AFL Draft compromised not only by a pool which contains a litany of tied prospects towards the top end, but also Tasmania's arrival, expect clubs to wrestle to get into this year's draft given there is an openness, purity and depth to the top end.
First round selections in next year's crop won't carry the same credence as most years in trade deals as clubs grapple with the limited access they will get to players - despite it being viewed as one of the strongest crops in recent years.
Learning from the list builds of Gold Coast and GWS Giants more than a decade ago, the league's concessions are designed to expedite the Devis' competitiveness.
Tasmania is expected to pre-select eight players from the 2027 draft this month, with formal offers to happen on September 15, before an event is held in Hobart in the week following the AFL Grand Final.
While it is far from a perfect guide, as selectors aim to reward players from a cross-section of the country and find 46 players who can fill the roles of the team, 25 of the squad members for the Under-17s Futures match being either club-tied or names Tasmania will access means it is not a good time to have draft capital.
Granted, the AFL has tightened measures to make clubs more accountable, but throw on top of that Tasmania's draft picks at the top end - notwithstanding some must be traded - and there is uncertainty about how much next year's draft can be relied upon.
Expect clubs to prioritise getting in picks for this year's crop, or even utilising the mechanism that allows picks two years into the future to swap hands, with next year's picks as potential sweeteners.
Hawthorn and Port Adelaide both have multiple prospects linked to them who are expected to be in the mix, but it will otherwise be a tussle to get hands on the other prospects at the pointy end, which Tasmania overlook.
Players on Tasmania's radar for pre-selection
Jake Miller (Western Jets)
Is all but certain to be unveiled as one of Tasmania's first selections alongside Axel Walsh. The Western Jets prospect took nine contested marks in three games of the Under-18s Championships, topping that stat category as he proved himself to be a hard-working true centre-half forward. Has shades of Josh Treacy and Nick Riewoldt and is the player the Devils will look to build their forward line around. As well as his aerial power, follow-up and goal-kicking, Miller also has an impeccable field kick for a player of his size.
Riley Stratford (Sandringham Dragons)
A schoolmate of Miller's at Brighton Grammar, Stratford has grown in the second half of the season, establishing himself as a big game player. The Under-17s Futures trial kick-started his hot form, where he had 20 disposals, 10 tackles and two goals, imposing himself on the contest with his physicality. Followed that up with some strong footy for Brighton Grammar in the absence of Arki Butler, and then was best afield for Sandringham Dragons in a do-or-die final last week. A contested ball-winner who can burst out the front of stoppage, he has not missed a beat despite an injury-interrupted pre-season.
Axel Walsh (East Perth)
Made his league debut in a do-or-die WAFL final, which underlines just how highly he is thought of. The key-position prospect has had an interrupted 12 months due to an ACL injury but can take big marks and impose himself on the contest as a developing tall who will be the ruck Tasmania look to develop. Goes about his footy with great swagger.
Baxter Sruk (Eastern Ranges)
The Eastern Ranges gun won his team the match with a kick in extra time last week, which is symbolic of the sort of footballer he is. Has an innate ability to finish in front of goals and can shrug off contact and move through traffic with ease. A natural ball-winner and clearance-winner, he got the chance to play for Vic Metro this year and was well up to the level.
Angus Brown (Sandringham Dragons)
Probably the least known name of the bunch, a knee injury punctuated Brown's 2026, but he is a one-touch forward with excellent timing, craft and pressure and the speed to get away from small lockdown defenders, find space and finish. Can play as a linking forward but is also a dangerous option inside 50.
Griffin Barker (Western Jets)
Good luck tackling Griffin Barker. The powerful Western Jets prospect plays with a competitive edge and can burst through traffic. Has spent plenty of time on the wing this year and knows how to find the footy and go, but has a great ability to steady, assess his options and make good decisions.
Max Thompson (Bendigo Pioneers)
Always looks a class above. Has been given exposure across the field this year for Bendigo Pioneers but will almost certainly settle as a small forward at the next level. Has agility in traffic, fleet of foot and a nose for goals. Always makes things happen and provides a burst of energy. There isn't much of him, but he packs a punch. Hails from Nyah-Nyah West, near Swan Hill, and is currently living in Bendigo to improve his footy.
Nate Jenkins (Calder Cannons)
A key-position prospect who moves well and can take big marks, he is one who could be paired with Jake Miller to form a potent one-two punch in the forward line for Tasmania. Has somewhat of a raw frame but has good hands, which he displayed in a breakout seven-goal game earlier this year. Has also spent a bit of time in defence this year to aid his development.
James Artemis (East Fremantle)
One of Western Australia's best at the Under-18s Championships, Artemis is the cousin of Essendon Mid-Season recruit Jaxon. The Western Australia 2025 Under-16s MVP, he's consistently able to get the ball in dangerous areas and explode away, using his pace to cut through traffic and break away from stoppage. Also has the endurance to play on a wing and forward sense to spend time inside 50.
*Jake Beams (Tasmania Devils)
Although Tasmania will not pre-select Beams, who was one of the Allies' best at the Under-18s Championships this year despite being a bottom-ager, they are likely to pick him up as a local they will get access to. His acceleration and kicking have the ability to break a game open, and he has a knack for finding plenty of the footy.
