Tassie list boss to seek clarity from Daicos management

Ahead of their inaugural AFL season, the Tasmania Devils have ramped up their efforts surrounding recruitment, already confirmed to be meeting with several player managers in anticipation for 2028.

Recent reports suggested that the Devils had already commenced their list-building process, with understanding that the club expects to land verbal agreements with AFL listed players as early as next year.

While continuing to pitch their case to the talents of the present, this weekend provides a unique opportunity for Tasmania to pitch to the future, with this week’s U16’s National Championships fixtures in the Gold Coast set to feature a number of the competition’s stars of tomorrow.

With their eyes set on landing future commitments from the young guns on display, the Devils’ head of list management Todd Patterson sees this as a chance to begin building their list for their inauguration in 2028.

“We’ve been out meeting with all of the managers – that’s been well spoken about, that process,” Patterson told SEN Tassie.

“We’ve got the U16’s National Championships for the boys on this week. This is a bit of a Grand Final week for us, this will form a large part of our inaugural team, so we’re all keyed up and ready to dial right in for the next five days.”

With play and management discussions ongoing, expectations remain that the Devils will have the capability to sign on some of the competition’s top talents, and just weeks ago, one of the league’s best refused to rule out a move down south.

Collingwood’s Nick Daicos spoke to The Age, stating: “I’d never rule anything out.

“It’s hard to picture, obviously, it’s so far away – but I’m very happy at Collingwood now.

“It hasn’t crossed my mind that much. Tassie are a little while away, (Derek) Hine (Tasmania's head of recruitment) has gone there which is great for him and obviously, his connection at Collingwood.

“I’m sure he’s scouting some players that he wants, but I’m fully fixated on staying at Collingwood for now and this year, more importantly.”

Referencing the comments, Patterson is determined to speak with Daicos’ manager Robbie D’Orazio, keen to configure the reality of a move to the Devils.

“It was an interesting one, wasn’t it! I didn’t see it coming,” Patterson said,

“It certainly hasn’t hurt us for someone like him not to rule it out. That’s probably another key part of what this U16 National Championships is, is every big player manager in the country is here this week.

“There will be times where I’ll leave the crew to watch games, and I’ll be going and having those discussions.

“Robbie D’Orazio, he is one I’ll be having discussions with this week to understand what was behind that comment, and if that’s something we should be considering and looking into further and providing more information.

“That will be one of many many conversations and there’s been lots of options and possibilities that have come out of our manager meetings for the last two or three weeks.

“There’s a reasonable level of appetite, but it’s been able to turn that appetite into actual acquisition.”

Beyond their AFL recruitment, the Devils have their sights set on potential recruitment for state league opportunities, as ongoing discussions surrounding a potential shift into the VFL as early as 2026 continue to occur.

“We want to have an increased state level presence from what we’ve had this year, seeing it’s a natural part of the build,” he said.

“We’re working through with the AFL what that can look like. We’re in a tricky spot where because there was still that provisional license and things have been held up a little bit.

“So, we’re very much in discussion with them, and we hope to have a resolution in the next four to six weeks.

“We’re doing a lot of planning in the background around what the different scenarios can be, but we’re hoping to have an increased offering and we’re confident that we will.

“What that looks like, we’re not too sure yet.”