Former Essendon forward Jye Menzie remains optimistic about an AFL return after a successful start to the year for Tasmania Devils.
The North Hobart local returned home ahead of 2026 with the goal of returning to the top level and has been given midfield exposure to show a different side to his game to what he did at Essendon.
“He's been a really consistent threat throughout all our games and has had two or three games where he has been in my opinion, the best player and most damaging on the ground. He gets high possession and hits scoreboard,” Tasmania coach Jeromey Webberley told Zero Hanger.
Four quarter consistency has been what Menzie targeted coming into the year after drifting in and out of games at times when given AFL exposure and that has been a big tick in 2026.
Menzie met with West Coast ahead of the Mid-Season Draft, indicating the 23-year-old remains on the radar of AFL clubs.
“He's had a really solid start to the year. We've been working on his inside mid craft and his mid-forward split has been close to a 90-10 split. He's made some gains in that area of his game and I still feel like there's a way to go,” Webberley added.
“It's hard for guys who have been on lists for a period of time who get delisted to go back on as the same player so we've looked at what we can add to his game to get back onto a list ASAP or give him an opportunity for our AFL list build and we felt like with his skillset, giving him opportunity at centre bounce was something we were excited about.
“I think Jye has relished the opportunity to advance his game.”
With 47 games and 36 goals to his name across a four year stretch with Essendon, the 180cm talent has rare experience on the big stage.
He has been an important figure for the 4-2-1 Devils, with his training standards helping the younger players throughout pre-season.
“Jye is an ultra professional: he still trains, still thinks like an AFL footballer and I know Jez (Tasmania coach Jeromey Webberley) and the coaching staff have been super impressed with his leadership,” his agent Tim Hazell from Vivid Sport told Zero Hanger.
“Jye could fit back into an AFL system really easily and play and be a really good AFL player. I really hope Jye gets that opportunity.
“He's gone back to Tassie, helped mould this young group of Tasmanians trying to come on this new journey and carried a huge workload. Hopefully the rewards come Jye's way because he really deserves it.”
