The AFL has forced Hawthorn out of Tasmania as we approach the Tassie Devils’ entry to the AFL in 2028.

The 25 year deal has seen the Hawks play four games a year at UTAS Stadium in Launceston, and the club are gutted to be splitting with the state amidst the AFL shifting Tasmania’s focus to their new side.

A new sporting scene has been the topic of the decade for Australia’s island state, with the introduction of the JackJumpers to the NBL in 2021 – and their female counterparts to the WNBL at the end of the year under the Tasmania Jewel – all coinciding with the Devils’ entry to the AFL and AFLW.

Tassie sports journalist Jake Garland joined Sports Breakfast this morning.

“I’m not surprised as all… it’s probably been in the pipework for some time. It would be nice to see two clubs down here for a period of time, but with the stadium not being built until 2031, it’s more likely the Devils will probably play 66% of their 12 home games of the year from 2028 to 2031 in Launceston. So that’s eight games of the year,” he said.

“If Hawthorn do play their four games here in Launceston, there’s 12 games of football they’re playing up there… It’s a lot of football for an area that only has had four football games a year.

“I think to have just one actual team here, which is what the community wants, it’s probably best to leave it the way it is. Obviously it’s unfortunate for Hawthorn, they’ve done so much for this state.”

Debate around the development of Macquarie Point Stadium still looms amongst locals, but despite a theme of rejection around the progress, passion for the Devils remains strong.

“There’s still definitely people here that think we don’t need the stadium and think the team can survive without it.”

“But the passion behind it, there was still eight thousand, nine thousand people there for the men’s game… I think if they didn’t get beaten as badly as they did on Saturday the spectators probably would have stayed around and watched the women’s game. But there were probably five thousand people at the women’s game on Sunday which is phenomenal for VFLW standard.”

The AFL unveiled the Devils’ draft package amid Hawthorn’s split from Tasmania, with the team entitled to every second pick in the first 14 selections in the 2027 AFL Draft, starting with pick one.

Pre-selection is also eligible for Tasmanian-born or raised prospects, allowed up to eight 17-year-old players in 2026 and 2027, capped at 12 total across the two years.

The Devils will also receive early list access from 2027-2030 for eligible Tasmanian players who’ve been in the Tasmanian Academy for at least 12 months, also required to meet residency criteria and who haven’t been on an AFL list previously.

Father-son access has been granted to players whose fathers were born in Tasmania and played at least 100 AFL games or 200 senior games in the Tasmanian state league.

Newly appointed Head of List Management and Strategy Todd Patterson will be thrilled at the buffet of talent the Devils have been granted access to select from, with former Richmond CEO Brendon Gale set to lead the Devils as their Chief Executive Officer.

“They’ll hit the ground running pretty quickly. We’re almost halfway through the VFL season and from my understanding they want to try have a named coach by the end of this year and ready for next year.”

“It’ll be a pretty exciting time for the next six months.”

With the mid-season draft next Tuesday, Tasmania might be unlucky to see some talent swooped from under them.

South Fremantle premiership player Jaxon Artemis moved to Tassie to join the VFL side earlier this year, and after missing this weekend’s game as a late out, speculation lingers that he might get the call up to Richmond.

The Tigers secured the top spot in the draft order after Josh Gibcus suffered an ACL sprain in a VFL match this year, on the opposite knee he required a full reconstruction on in 2024.

“He’s [Artemis] had a phenomenal first six games… I wouldn’t be surprised if he does go pick one in the mid-season draft.”

It’s an exciting time for Tasmania as we approach September, where they will have a designated window to sign their first 17-year-old players.

IMAGE: AFL Media