Delisted Port Adelaide forward Xavier Walsh says the move to Tasmania for the 2027 VFL season was largely due to reuniting with former Power coach Ken Hinkley as well as potentially playing alongside his younger brother, Axel.
Walsh spent three seasons at Alberton, where he kicked 28 goals across 36 games in the SANFL, before he was delisted.
Injuries and lack of opportunities prevented an AFL debut, but after righting problematic shoulder issues in recent years, he's ready to give the Devils a chance, a crack at returning to the top flight.
"I think it's a combination of reasons," Walsh said on SEN.
"Axel has had a bit of attention around him down there for the whole year. It's always been there, but seeing Ken (Hinkley) as the senior coach and talking to my manager a lot, he's been talking to them a lot, my family had already built a good relationship with Todd Patterson (Head of List Management and Strategy), and I already had a relationship with Ken; it was something to go to down there.
"I haven't heard the true selling points of Tassie, but we have family down there. But there are a few good things to do down there.
"I think I still have a lot to give. Coming off the Port Adelaide list, there was a lot of learning, but I think I have found on and off the field to find a balance; whenever I go on the field, I'm ready."
Axel was the first AFL signing announced by the Devils in September, with the club afforded the ability to pre-list 2027 draft prospects, with seven named.
The pair of brothers have yet to play a game of football together, but could do so for Tasmania in the VFL next year.
"My brother, but Ken's had a big involvement in that," Walsh said.
"We have a great relationship, so he's probably the tipping point for me going down there.
"Very excited (to play with Axel). Been looking forward to it for a long time. Never played together. He's run the water for me a couple of times but never been close enough to play. Hopefully next year we get the opportunity."
Tasmania's 2027 VFL list continues to take shape, with former Port Adelaide player Xavier Walsh joining the Devils.
Walsh will reunite with former Power coach Ken Hinkley and link up with his younger brother Axel, who was pre-listed in September.@zerohanger
— Aidan Cellini (@aidancellini4) November 1, 2026
Walsh explained he had interest from WAFL clubs in a bid to return to his home state, while his strong links to East Perth loomed as a potential home.
The 21-year-old elaborated on his time at Port Adelaide, and how he developed in a strong side.
"I think injuries had a bit of an impact. I didn't get a lot of continuity," he said.
"Obviously it's a bit frustrating. But I tried to get out of it what I can and take what I can learn from that club. They drafted me as a forward, and Ken moved me back in the first training session.
"First year I was playing behind Charlie Dixon, someone pretty hard to get past. Mitch Georgiades, and then down back it was Aliir (Aliir) and Esava Ratugolea.
"I think the first year, with how successful we were in making it to a prelim, I can understand (not getting selected). After getting picked up in the rookie draft, I didn't expect to play a game. I just wanted to learn. And then hopefully get an extension, which I did. But in my second year, I had the whole year off with a shoulder reconstruction.
"Unfortunately, I never got to play under Ken, but I still got to learn so much."
