VFL VFL Team

[CrazyJoeFevola]

Didn’t see a thread pertaining to the VFL side that will be entering the comp so I thought I would start one. If I’ve missed it please delete.

Just two points and questions I suppose. The first one pertains to the structure for 2025-2026. 2025 there won’t be any mainland draftees on the list, but I assume there will be access to young local lads and 2026 there will obviously be the pre-draft selections like the GC and GWS had.

Just want to know how you’d go about shaping the list, particularly in that first year when there will be a fair bit of the list to populate. Would you simply aim to recruit the cream of the TFL that has been disbanded or would you look to the mainland for some of the list spots?

Personally, while obviously drafted the best of the TFL is common sense I also think this is a real chance to look forward and dangle a carrot in front of the best non AFL listed 21-22 year olds in the country and offer a pathway to an AFL list in 2027. I’d be targeting at least 5 or 6 of them with a real process set out for them to gain an AFL list spot, could be a real advantage when it 2027 comes around. Additionally this would in my opinion go a long way to making the team competitive from the get-go, which would lead to big crowds and great momentum heading into 2027.

Second one is what to do with the split of games. With 9 home games likely you could either go 6 games Blundstone and 3 UTas to emulate the 2027 split or you could go a bit more statewide.

A conservative example of that could be 5 Hobart, 3 UTas both years and 1 game Devonport one year and 1 game Burnie the other. Or you could go 4 Hobart, 3 UTas and 1 each for Devonport and Burnie both years. That personally would be my preferred option as I think both North West games would be massive events with great crowds and really create hype for the team across the whole state. The argument against playing any games there at all would be to get the embryonic team as used to a schedule as close to the AFL one as possible.

Sorry for the long winded post, just thought it was an important thing to discuss.

 

[Perry Pie]

Didn’t see a thread pertaining to the VFL side that will be entering the comp so I thought I would start one. If I’ve missed it please delete.

Just two points and questions I suppose. The first one pertains to the structure for 2025-2026. 2025 there won’t be any mainland draftees on the list, but I assume there will be access to young local lads and 2026 there will obviously be the pre-draft selections like the GC and GWS had.

Just want to know how you’d go about shaping the list, particularly in that first year when there will be a fair bit of the list to populate. Would you simply aim to recruit the cream of the TFL that has been disbanded or would you look to the mainland for some of the list spots?

Personally, while obviously drafted the best of the TFL is common sense I also think this is a real chance to look forward and dangle a carrot in front of the best non AFL listed 21-22 year olds in the country and offer a pathway to an AFL list in 2027. I’d be targeting at least 5 or 6 of them with a real process set out for them to gain an AFL list spot, could be a real advantage when it 2027 comes around. Additionally this would in my opinion go a long way to making the team competitive from the get-go, which would lead to big crowds and great momentum heading into 2027.

Second one is what to do with the split of games. With 9 home games likely you could either go 6 games Blundstone and 3 UTas to emulate the 2027 split or you could go a bit more statewide.

A conservative example of that could be 5 Hobart, 3 UTas both years and 1 game Devonport one year and 1 game Burnie the other. Or you could go 4 Hobart, 3 UTas and 1 each for Devonport and Burnie both years. That personally would be my preferred option as I think both North West games would be massive events with great crowds and really create hype for the team across the whole state. The argument against playing any games there at all would be to get the embryonic team as used to a schedule as close to the AFL one as possible.

Sorry for the long winded post, just thought it was an important thing to discuss.

On games split, I think Tassie should get extra home VFL games in years 1 and 2. Play in Tassie a lot & focus on growing and establishing the club. Maybe only travel interstate 2 or 3 times to Melbourne each of those seasons. That gives the chance to play more around the state and broaden the base a bit. Might seem a bit unfair to other VFL teams, but this is about Tassie club building. If 18 game season, that would be something like Hobart 7 or 8, UTas 5 or 6, Dport/Burnie 2 or 3, Melboune 3.
I also think the club should be ambitious - aim for high finals place in year 2 to get shot at VFL premiership (sounds mad I know, that sort of simple ambition will set the tone for the future). Win games...!

 

[CrazyJoeFevola]

On games split, I think Tassie should get extra home VFL games in years 1 and 2. Play in Tassie a lot & focus on growing and establishing the club. Maybe only travel interstate 2 or 3 times to Melbourne each of those seasons. That gives the chance to play more around the state and broaden the base a bit. Might seem a bit unfair to other VFL teams, but this is about Tassie club building. If 18 game season, that would be something like Hobart 7 or 8, UTas 5 or 6, Dport/Burnie 2 or 3, Melboune 3.
I also think the club should be ambitious - aim for high finals place in year 2 to get shot at VFL premiership (sounds mad I know, that sort of simple ambition will set the tone for the future). Win games...!

That’s a great idea RE the extra home games and I reckon it will probably happen.

Yeah, I think winning is imperative. Targeting the best state league players around the country should be the go with the notion that if you do well you’ll be kept on what I assume will be an expanded AFL list to begin with. Has the benefit of winning games and building hype but also building the club culture from day 1, would be great to have the young Tassie boys learning from the most driven players from day 1, as well as the team already having a good understanding of each other if a lot of the team have already played with each other when the first AFL game comes along.

 

[Cunnington Cartel]

Didn’t see a thread pertaining to the VFL side that will be entering the comp so I thought I would start one. If I’ve missed it please delete.

Just two points and questions I suppose. The first one pertains to the structure for 2025-2026. 2025 there won’t be any mainland draftees on the list, but I assume there will be access to young local lads and 2026 there will obviously be the pre-draft selections like the GC and GWS had.

Just want to know how you’d go about shaping the list, particularly in that first year when there will be a fair bit of the list to populate. Would you simply aim to recruit the cream of the TFL that has been disbanded or would you look to the mainland for some of the list spots?

Personally, while obviously drafted the best of the TFL is common sense I also think this is a real chance to look forward and dangle a carrot in front of the best non AFL listed 21-22 year olds in the country and offer a pathway to an AFL list in 2027. I’d be targeting at least 5 or 6 of them with a real process set out for them to gain an AFL list spot, could be a real advantage when it 2027 comes around. Additionally this would in my opinion go a long way to making the team competitive from the get-go, which would lead to big crowds and great momentum heading into 2027.

Second one is what to do with the split of games. With 9 home games likely you could either go 6 games Blundstone and 3 UTas to emulate the 2027 split or you could go a bit more statewide.

A conservative example of that could be 5 Hobart, 3 UTas both years and 1 game Devonport one year and 1 game Burnie the other. Or you could go 4 Hobart, 3 UTas and 1 each for Devonport and Burnie both years. That personally would be my preferred option as I think both North West games would be massive events with great crowds and really create hype for the team across the whole state. The argument against playing any games there at all would be to get the embryonic team as used to a schedule as close to the AFL one as possible.

Sorry for the long winded post, just thought it was an important thing to discuss.

I’d hope there’d be a decent spread of games around the state to build support for the club before they enter the big league. From what I’ve read there won’t be any games in Devonport or Burnie because Dial Park in Penguin has been earmarked as the elite footy facility on the NW coast. Makes sense because it’s located roughly halfway between Devonport and Burnie. IIRC, Rockliff mentioned that the government intends to pump in an additional $25m into Dial Park. It will host some AFL pre-season games as well as some VFL, AFLW and Coates Talent League games + be the training facility for U18 academy players from the NW.

 

[Perry Pie]

I have not seen it discussed since this thread petered out - so I thought I would pose the question...

"When should the mens VFL side be established, 2026 or 2027?"
I suggest 2026, with a big flag push for 2027.

Given there is no second tier AFLW competition (that I know of) for the Devils to play in, what should be done to establish the Devils womens side in advance of entering the AFLW in 2028 (should they enter earlier maybe, before the mens team?)

 

[Cap]

Sorry Random bump here, but is there any news on if Tassie hit the VFL next year or not ?

 

[Hodgey 15]

Sorry Random bump here, but is there any news on if Tassie hit the VFL next year or not ?

Grant O'Brien recently mentioned 2026 is most likely.

 

[Cap]

Grant O'Brien recently mentioned 2026 is most likely.

Cheers. I thought they may have tried to get in 2025 , but i guess there is no rush

 

[fargothegreat]

VFL list build will probably be something like:

• I'm assuming 2026 will be pretty much all local players. We could possibly look to bring some previously AFL listed expats back to play for the team.
• 2027 will be a mix of the above, rookie listed players (GWS got the first 8 picks in the rookie draft in 2010) and January-April born 17-year olds (like how GWS got Jeremy Cameron
  5

  Jeremy Cameron

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[Mr Tassie]

The Tasmanian vfl team will next year play invitional games against several vfl teams.

 

[Perry Pie]

Any more news on the establishment of the VFL side? Is it expected in 2026 or 2027 now?

 

[fargothegreat]

Any more news on the establishment of the VFL side? Is it expected in 2026 or 2027 now?

Entering the VFL next year.

 

[Perry Pie]

Entering the VFL next year.

Entering the VFL next year.

Thanks

 

[Truetiger]

Entering the VFL next year.

How come it was stopped back in 2008. Will be good to have it re start.

 

[Jazny]

Would have been nice to have the high performance centre ready for the VFL team's first year but that seems unlikely.

 

[fargothegreat]

Sounds like there's a proposal being considered for Tassie to play 10 games in the VFL next year against clubs when they have the bye.

Seems a bit impractical to me. How do we build a list that is only playing every second week? Matches would be just glorified practice matches against each VFL team's seconds, as the main guys will have a rest in bye weeks.

I think we should either play the whole season or wait until 2027.

 

[Truetiger]

Sounds like there's a proposal being considered for Tassie to play 10 games in the VFL next year against clubs when they have the bye.

Seems a bit impractical to me. How do we build a list that is only playing every second week? Matches would be just glorified practice matches against each VFL team's seconds, as the main guys will have a rest in bye weeks.

I think we should either play the whole season or wait until 2027.

It seems strange that they should play a shortened season. I’m not sure why.

 

[Perry Pie]

Sounds like there's a proposal being considered for Tassie to play 10 games in the VFL next year against clubs when they have the bye.

Seems a bit impractical to me. How do we build a list that is only playing every second week? Matches would be just glorified practice matches against each VFL team's seconds, as the main guys will have a rest in bye weeks.

I think we should either play the whole season or wait until 2027.

Agree that the team should play the full 2026 season as a full participant in the VFL or not at all. (I suggest that getting on with it in 2026 is the right thing to do regardless of the status of the performance centre - can play games across the state too).

 

[fargothegreat]

Change of plans — we've now applied to join the VFL and VFLW for the full season next year.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Change of plans — we've now applied to join the VFL and VFLW for the full season next year.

With the ol' fart in a bath Jeromey Webberley to coach the men.

 

[Jazny]

Really excited! Will be watching VFL almost as much as AFL next year if this happens. I always thought the 10 game plan seemed like a bad idea, too gimmicky. Get us in an playing for the premiership is a much better idea. Will be a quick list build though! Only half a year to get a team up from scratch.

 

[Truetiger]

Really excited! Will be watching VFL almost as much as AFL next year if this happens. I always thought the 10 game plan seemed like a bad idea, too gimmicky. Get us in a playing for the premiership is a much better idea. Will be a quick list build though! Only half a year to get a team up from scratch.

Positive news as we begin getting everything ready for the 2028 season. Much too look forward to.

 

[lionshine]

Really excited! Will be watching VFL almost as much as AFL next year if this happens. I always thought the 10 game plan seemed like a bad idea, too gimmicky. Get us in a playing for the premiership is a much better idea. Will be a quick list build though! Only half a year to get a team up from scratch.

Are there many players from the Tasmanian state leagues who could step up and play for the VFL side? Would be great for the list build if a few locals from the TSL can step up into the VFL side, perform well, and earn a contract on the inaugural AFL list.

 

[Jazny]

Are there many players from the Tasmanian state leagues who could step up and play for the VFL side? Would be great for the list build if a few locals from the TSL can step up into the VFL side, perform well, and earn a contract on the inaugural AFL list.

Umm in terms of young players, I can't think of many who would likely come in from the state leagues rather than being drafted right now. Maybe Max Roney who is playing for the Devils as an overrager now and is playing in the Southern League? There are older players who are VFL quality like Siggins and Kieran Lovell. Most of the players that are young and have a hope of being drafted tend to go to SA or the VFL.

Some nice players like Baynen Lowe, Oscar Van Dam, Mitch O'Niell, Nathaniel Sulzberger, Oliver Davis, Jackson Callow all run around in SA and the VFL. I don't think any of them except maybe Baynen Lowe have a huge chance of being on an AFL list in 2028 but you never know. But it would be good to start attracting these guys back to our state.

I think we should go hard at getting Robbie Fox in as a player/mentor if he wants to play next year. Also Jye Menzie who wasn't quite good enough for AFL level but is a really good trainer.

Guys who will likely miss out on this draft like Jasper Hay would be good to have developing here as the first group who don't need to go over to the mainland for opportunities.

 

[Truetiger]

Once the team is confirmed, membership wouldn’t be far off.