The build for Tasmania's AFL team continues to reach tick boxes for its off-field personnel, with their first AFL player signing not due for another two years, at least.
The Devils have been left excited by their 2027 crop of Academy players, with their U16s side taking out the second division of the Development Championships
A host of Tassie-linked 2027 prospects made their case known at the carnival, with the Devils squad's "great depth" a standout.
The club's incoming Academy players, as well as the top 2027 draft prospects, are set to take up a large percentage of the Devils' AFL squad for 2028.
Attempting to predict Tasmania's Round 1, 2028 lineup on this week's episode of Craft of the Draft, the Devils will have a strong pool to pick from if the U16s carnival is anything to go by.
"The last couple of years, especially last year, Tassie have been a bit quieter on the draft front. This year they might Avery Thomas or Jack Miller (drafted)," analyst Jonty Ralphsmith said.
"[The 2027 Academy class] do look to bat quite deep, they've got plenty of talent. Sam Husband is one of the highest-rated players in the country, and Lucas Heazlewood was box office at the U16s National Championships. The great positive there was that they didn't win it off two players, they won it off the back of great depth.
"In the open pool, we expect them to have lots of access at the pointy end.
"Max Thompson has got some exposure at the Bendigo Pioneers as a small forward. Baxter Sruk is really highly regarded as well. Axel Walsh as a ruck. Jake Miller is a key forward out of the Western Jets.
"I think there's a lot of Vic Metro talent for that draft in particular, looking at it very, very early. There are plenty of players, casting two years ahead, to get excited about."
As for current AFL players, products of the Apple Isle will also be in the sights of the Devils.
While the likes of Colby McKercher and Ryley Sanders loom as the big name targets, veterans such as Alex Pearce and Toby Nankervis could be vital, even if they're only contracted for the first year.
"Some of the older guys like Alex Pearce, Toby Nankervis and Jake Kolodjashnij might be touch and go," Craft of the Draft host Mitch Keating said.
"I like to think Alex Pearce gets there, but maybe not as a player, perhaps as a coach or mentor for the players.
"Nankervis might still be around. Could take on a mentor role for an Axel Walsh or Hugo Semmler.
"Jake Kolodjashnij will be at that veteran age, which you still need. Guy McKenna told Hangin' Out that you need these guys playing VFL footy, because you can't just have an U18s side in the VFL, where they'd really struggle.
"A player like Jake Kolodjashnij, while he might be past his best in the AFL at that age, could be playing in the VFL as that cool head who brings that experience."
The current list of star players due to come off-contract at the end of 2027 will be eye-watering for the Devils, who will have cash and picks to splash that off-season.
Predicting four top line players from that crop to join the Devils in the exercise, the likes of Matt Rowell, Sam De Koning and Logan Morris could be ideal targets.
"Few of the headline names to think about for Tassie at the end of 2027 who are off-contract: Logan Morris, Kai Lohmann, Darcy Wilmot from Brisbane. Beau McCreery, Nic Martin, Caleb Serong, Sam De Koning, Noah Anderson, Matthew Rowell, Sam Flanders, Lachie Ash, Tom Green, Tren Rivers, Charlie Comben, Mitch Georgiades, Jack Sinclair, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Chad Warner," Keating said.
"They're not going to get all of them. Even if they got one or two, that'd be great. So we've picked four of those (in the predicted team), and there's some guys from the Tassie group at other clubs."
For the full predicted 2028 Tasmania lineup, you can watch the player below, or head to Zero Hanger's YouTube channel for the entire episode.
