Tasmania's 10 potential (realistic) 2027 trade targets

Tasmania's Macquarie Point Stadium securing the necessary parliamentary support to be built has confirmed the Devils' entrance into the AFL in 2028. It will enable Tasmania to continue going full steam ahead with their list build and start to formulate a hit list of targets to bring in for the club's inaugural year. The Devils can trade in up to 18 out-of-contract AFL players, with a maximum of one player per club. While there are bigger names than the 10 we've listed, we've provided names which are viewed as gettable or would suit Tasmania for a specific reason. Ben Keays Noted for his diligent preparation and strong work ethic, he would bring standards to a young lineup that would be worth its weight in gold. Has established a key role for himself in Adelaide's lineup in recent years but his experience, character and talent would make him perfect for a rebuilding side. http://gty.im/2234308164 Kai Lohmann The exciting dynamo is a player Tassie should set its sights on. Brisbane has a squad burgeoning with talent so could reasonably comfortably cover his loss and the Lions will have a tight balance for cap space to accommodate all their stars, while Tasmania's bigger wallet could prove an attractive proposition. Has the potential to be a cult hero for a fanbase that will be riding their side's emotional wave. Jack Ginnivan Ginnivan seems genuinely happy at Hawthorn but if there's one thing to know about the livewire, it's to expect the unexpected. Would be a great addition, adding not only a talent in his prime on-field, but would also be a great marketing tool for a new team which will be desperate to proliferate its reach. http://gty.im/2236241155 Will Graham The exciting forward has played 25 games across his first two seasons on an AFL list after being one of four Suns Academy graduates onto Gold Coast's list. Did not play in the second half of 2025 due to injury, but took out the club's most professional player award this year, highlighting his discipline. Will look to naturally graduate into midfield minutes in the coming years but with so many players jostling for spots in Gold Coast's lineup, the opportunity to take on greater responsibility could lure him south. Kyle Langford The Essendon key forward will be 32 in 2028 and a perfect mentor for the young forwards, with the experience and competitiveness to take the best key defender each week. The Bombers will hope Nate Caddy will be the focal point of the forward line by that stage, with Archie May and Liam McMahon others in the next generation who will be vying for greater roles after exposure in 2025. http://gty.im/2231592677 Jordan De Goey The powerful Pie has let contract talks linger deep into his contract year previously and always seems to pop up in player movement talks despite consistently staying loyal to the Pies. If he moves, De Goey would add game-winning ability and big game presence immediately for Tasmania. Beau McCreery Looked set to breakout with more midfield minutes in 2025 before injuries grounded him. Signed a deal in 2023 to stay with the Pies until 2027 but it has not stopped rumours from swirling about the South Australian's future. His personality and hard-at-it presence would be great for a startup club. Brodie Grundy An established ruck is a key piece for Tasmania if it wants to compete immediately. Local boy Toby Nankervis is the obvious choice, but whether he has three more seasons in him is a point of contention, while he also may be inclined to conclude his career at a Richmond side he skippered through a rebuild. Grundy would turn 34 in Tasmania's first year and could provide a couple of years of service and important experience and wisdom to finish his career. http://gty.im/2230729242 Ned Long The expectation and hope will be that Tasmania can attract a big name to build its list around in the early years. Assuming that player is a midfielder and, through some other trading and list decisions, they bring in some midfield firepower, Long would be the perfect two-way presence to complement them and ensure the Devils get the most out of their big names, without relying on youngsters to carry the load defensively. Will be 25 and his big-body will stabilise the midfield. Tom Atkins is another option in this vein if the club wants a slightly older option to fill this role. Hunter Clark The injury-hit St Kilda midfielder has an interesting couple of seasons ahead which, pending fitness, will establish where he sits in the Saints' plans. Across eight seasons, he has only twice managed more than 13 games. If Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera extends his current contract, he will lead a midfield which will also have Marcus Windhager, Mattaes Phillipou, Darcy Wilson, Hugo Garcia and potentially Hugh Boxshall, Tobie Travaglia and Kye Fincher to contend with. He will be a rare out-of-contract midfielder with significant AFL experience who still has strong footy ahead but is potentially expendable by their incumbent club. http://gty.im/1169880106 The biggest names off-contract None are bigger than reigning Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell, and it took him until midway through this year to extend his stay at Gold Coast beyond 2025, but if he was to leave, it would be most likely for Victoria. Midfield duo Tom Green and Will Day will both be in their prime as will Miles Bergman, with the former two Free Agents. Caleb Serong is a captain in waiting at Fremantle so would also be unlikely to leave, while Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera will again weigh up a move home against staying with St Kilda. Izak Rankine and Bailey Smith are the other biggest names coming out of contract. The Tasmanians Alex Pearce, Brody Mihocek and Sam Banks come out of contract in 2027, but for different reasons, all would be unlikely to feature for Tasmania. Pearce will be 33 in 2028 and would be the most likely of the bunch, but the current Fremantle skipper may be just about out of puff. So too Mihocek who will be 35, and while his late start could herald hope he can play until he's older, the forward's crash and bash style will likely limit him. Banks, meanwhile, has repeatedly affirmed his commitment to Richmond, and the lure of home is less pertinent, given he is from the Northwest, more than three hours from Hobart. As previously mentioned, Nankervis comes out of contract at the end of 2026 and may sign for a further season but would also struggle to play into 2028.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

Tasmania’s 10 potential (realistic) 2027 trade targets

Which out-of-contract players could the Devils target as part of their list build?

Jack Ginnivan

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