We all know how the so-called “inflation dragon” is adding to our cost-of-living pressures. For the AFL’s 18 clubs, football’s version is the list build of the league’s newest baby, the Tasmania Devils, which is about to ignite a fire under the cost-of-success pressures they are already feeling.
The AFL this week confirmed the full details of the Devils’ draft, free agency and trade rules ahead of their 2028 season debut, having already outlined the $5 million sign-on bonus fund, list sizes and their access to off-contract players.
The sign-on bonus can be spread over 2028 and 2029, with the total amount spent each year not to exceed $3 million or be less than $2 million.
Amid a plethora of draft concessions, the Devils can also sign up to 18 uncontracted players from rival clubs through 2027-28 (a maximum of one per club) without a trade needing to be struck.
Clubs, instead, will be compensated by a draft pick or picks from the AFL. And this is where it gets interesting.
The Devils made their plans clear to the 30 player agents they hosted over wine and golf at the stunning 7 Mile Beach links in February.
“[Building] the list is a big opportunity, but it is also a big risk,” Devils chief executive Brendon Gale, who helped guide Richmond to three premierships, said at the time.
“We want good players.”
And there are plenty about, whether that be those off contract in 2027 who could join the fledgling club in its inaugural year, or those who could join after year one.
Sydney star Chad Warner, Port Adelaide forward Mitch Georgiades and Melbourne ball winner Trent Rivers are projected to be free agents at the end of next year.
They may be extreme long shots to head to Tasmania, but the Devils have a free swing. Would one bite on a fair chunk of the sign-on bonus?
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has already become the league’s first $2 million a year man, but he has another major call to make through 2027 when off contract. Yes, it’s another highly unlikely signing for the Devils but, remember, many experts had him going home to South Australia last year.
Paul Connors, whose company CDG Sports manages Nick Daicos (contracted until the end of 2029), says it would be remiss to not listen to what the Devils had on offer, and Daicos himself told this masthead last year he wouldn’t rule out a move.
As this masthead reported in March, the brilliant onballer is the Magpies’ highest-paid player, earning $1.1 million a season, and will pocket up to $1.4 million in coming years, but the Devils can offer him a 10-year, $25 million deal, including a significant portion of their sign-on bonus.
Giants star Tom Green, a restricted free agent next year, is another name high on the Devils’ radar, despite the brilliant ball winner sitting out this year because of a knee injury.
However, as a rival club recruiter wishing to speak anonymously said, to prise Green (should the Giants match any offer) and Daicos out, the Devils would have to hand over multiple first-round picks, something Devils list boss Todd Patterson has said he was unlikely to do.
Geelong runner Max Holmes knocked back multi-million dollars when he last signed in 2024. Now at the peak of his powers, he is off contract after the 2028 campaign and is keen to financially prosper while he can.
St Kilda ruckman-forward Rowan Marshall, off contract next year, would be an ideal signing for a team looking for mature size. Essendon forward Nate Caddy would offer the Devils some flair.
But hard nut Collingwood forward-midfielder Beau McCreery almost fell over when it emerged the Devils could throw a lucrative seven-year deal his way, the Magpies privately noting this came soon after McCreery had changed management.
The Devils could also look to poach younger talent, including Richmond gun Sam Lalor and the uncapped Josh Smillie.
Fellow Tiger Rhyan Mansell is off contract this year, with contract negotiations ongoing, but the Launceston native will remain a player of interest, particularly if partner Monique Conti, the AFLW Tigers’ star and contracted until the end of 2027, is open to a shift south.
No.1 draft pick Willem Duursma and emerging superstar Harley Reid are the foundations for the rebirth of the West Coast Eagles, but the Devils could sell each on the fact they would be closer to home in Victoria should they consider a move in late 2028.
League sources say North Melbourne’s Finn O’Sullivan, and homegrown talents Colby McKercher, also a Kangaroo, and Ryley Sanders, now with the Western Bulldogs, are players of interest.
Brisbane two-time premiership forward Logan Morris, 21, is another league sources say the Devils are interested in.
There were 58 players last year paid at least $1 million, with this likely to increase by as much as 50 per cent come the end of next year, when the current collective bargaining agreement expires – and the Devils complete their initial list build.
Here are two players from every team who the Devils will definitely have noted are off contract when they arrive as the league’s 19th team.
As one player agent, who wished to remain anonymous, said on Wednesday: “It’s a good time to be off contract with the Devils around.”
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.
