The Tasmanian Devils chalked up their first official VFL win over the weekend, defeating Coburg by 17 points on Saturday at a packed out North Hobart Oval.
With the Devils due to become the AFL’s 19th team in 2028, over 10,000 fans flocked to the game over the weekend to show their support.
Coburg controlled the first quarter before the home side pulled away, holding the lead until the final siren.
East Fremantle prospect Jed Hagan kicked four goals for the Devils in their inaugural match, already putting himself on the watchlists of recruiters for the AFL mid season draft.
He spoke to SportFM this morning.
“Tasmania is such a big footy state and for them to get something like this was really cool… the nerves were definitely a little bit higher than a normal game,” he said.
“For us it was about stepping into the moment and embracing everything that came with the day so I think we handled it really well.”
“It was definitely the biggest [crowd] I’ve been part of. Just not being able to hear the umpires’ whistles when it blows for a free kick and stuff was pretty crazy, so yeah, it was a sort of goosebumps kind of moment at times which was really cool to be a part of.”
With ex East Fremantle teammate Milan Murdock recently making his AFL debut for the Eagles at the age of 25, Hagan is hoping his move to Tasmania could be his path to a future in the league.
“It was obviously a tough decision to leave East Fremantle because that’s my home and that’s where I played a lot of my footy throughout my junior years and I love the club dearly. But for me it was just about the opportunity to get a potential AFL lifeline in a couple years’ time. “
“To see those guys get picked up, Milan and Mitch from East Fremantle, it’s just a bit more of a driving factor to be able to know that there’s still a chance for the mature ages.”
“It’s just about playing good footy week in week out. Ideally you get picked up as soon as possible and if that happens, then I’d be extremely grateful and take that with both hands.”
Working in the meantime as an education assistant, Hagan says the break from footy isn’t so much of a break, with the fans in Tasmania stoked to have their own team coming to the AFL.
“Wherever you go in Tasmania, everyone’s talking about the devils and it just means so much to the state. So to be able to play a small part in that, it’s pretty special.”
“Everyone loves their footy and is so passionate about it, so to be able to see everyone’s smiles on their faces the other day was just amazing.”
The Devils play their next match against Port Melbourne at UTAS Stadium this Saturday.