Tasmania Devils' newest recruit Jack Williams remains adamant about his intention to return to the AFL.
Williams has signed with the Devils' 2027 VFL side in a bid to win a spot on the club's inaugural AFL list the following season.
The 22-year-old was delisted by West Coast after he fell victim to a forward line squeeze, but remains confident he has the attributes for AFL football.
"100 per cent. That's the main aim for the whole thing," Williams said on SEN.
"I still want to get back on an AFL list, and I think it's a good opportunity to be in that environment with the likes of Ken Hinkley, Matty Knights and their AFL program.
"If everyone goes to plan next year, and I'm able to put my best foot forward in the VFL, to be able to get the chance on the inaugural list will be something really special.
"If everything goes to plan, that would be the main goal for sure."
Williams noted there were a few options he weighed up before committing to the Devils, but is still open to any clubs offering summer train-on opportunities as well as the potential to be snared in the upcoming national and rookie drafts.
"There were a couple of opportunities to weigh up," he added.
"But I felt like that Tasmania was the best one. There's still potentially a chance to get picked up in the draft or move forward in getting an SSP spot.
"I'm still trying to put my foot forward to all AFL clubs, and I still want to get back on a list wherever possible, so that's why Tasmania was the best choice for me.
"If I'm able to play well there next year, obviously there's going to be a lot of eyes on that club moving into their 2028 inaugural season. I think it's a good place to be.
"But Tasmania, the club, has been really good in letting me know that if anything pops up, they're more than happy to support me and let me take another opportunity.
"If I act as if I'm moving to Tasmania, and start training down there, and if something else pops up, then we deal with it then."
Williams played 54 games for the Eagles after he was drafted in 2021, kicking 46 goals as a key forward option.
Standing at 198cm, he has an ability to pinch-hit in the ruck, but notes his best position is a marking target inside 50.
"They want me to play forward, and if things happen and I need to play ruck, then I'm capable of doing that," Williams said.
"But that's also where I think I play my best footy is up forward. I've spent a lot of time at West Coast developing my ruck game as well, so if any situation arises where I need to chop out in the ruck, then I'm happy to do that.
"Definitely playing forward is where I play my best footy. And that's been the communication from Tasmania: they want a strong key forward who can be a good focal target for them."
Williams was one of three West Coast players in limbo during the trade and free agency period, with Harry Schoenberg and Clay Hall also forced to wait to learn their fates.
But despite the difficult nature of being a fringe AFL player, the former Eagle said the Western Australian club handled his departure with respect, while multiple staff members have remained in touch and assisted his transition away from the organisation.
"I felt it coming in the trade period, when they had to make a decision. When the time came, the news was hard to take, but I was able to move forward when I finally got the news, and the last couple of weeks have been pretty busy," he said.
"We had Hally, me and Schoeners were in limbo that period. We all went on and spoke to (West Coast). They were very good with it. They thanked me for my time at the club. They briefed me on their reasoning and why they were doing this. It was a good two-way conversation.
"They've still reached out and have helped set what I'm going to do next. Different staff members and the wellbeing staff have all been good.
"It was tough to hear the news. I really loved playing at West Coast and wanted to stay there, but that's the way the business works. It creates a new opportunity for me to ply my trade elsewhere."
Williams signed alongside former AFL player and ex-Cat George Stevens, who is tipped to be part of the Devils' inaugural 2028 side.
Ex-Bomber Jye Menzie penned a new extension after an impressive season with Tasmania, while Jed Hagan, Lachy Hay, Nick Williams, Zach Adams, Harry Elmer and Maddox Iverach will don the Tassie guernsey in 2027.
