Tasmania Devils list strategist lead Todd Patterson has revealed the club has tabled a VFL offer to delisted Essendon forward Jye Menzie for next year.
Menzie, a native of the Apple Isle, was not offered a new deal by the Bombers after the 2025 season concluded, ending his three-and-a-half-year run with the Dons.
The North Hobart product made a name for himself in the SANFL with South Adelaide before being recruited to the Bombers via the 2022 Mid-Season Draft.
A difficult last couple of seasons have seen Essendon look elsewhere for 2026, but state league level sides are queuing up for the 22-year-old's services.
Among the clubs in the mix are the Devils, who have "put a contract in front of him" in the hope of adding experienced AFL talent to their VFL program.
"We've put a contract in front of him. He's got to work through that process," Patterson told SEN. "He's one of many (we're targeting).
"There's a little bit to it as well. It's almost first-in, first-served with these contracts. Only so much can go around.
"So we're just waiting for the phone to ring and get some good news. I think we're not far away. In the next seven to 10 days, a few things will start to fall in place.
"It's just that waiting game."
Another Tasmanian who was recently delisted, ex-Swan Robbie Fox, is another in the Devils' sights after his spell with Sydney came to an end this year.
Fox, however, has earned the interest of GWS for a potential AFL lifeline, and also has "strong commercial interests" away from football.
"Robbie is still a chance to get picked up by the Giants, they're showing some interest," Patterson said.
"He's got really strong commercial interests outside the game, so it's how we complement that."
Tasmania will field a VFL team during the 2026 season, helping extend the competition to 23 teams along with St Kilda's new reserves side.
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