How Colby McKercher’s contract decision changes the Tasmanian Devils’ market
Colby McKercher is off the table for the Tasmanian Devils after inking a new deal with North Melbourne. So, who’s next? See the players from every club the Devils will target.
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The first local name is off the board for the Tasmania Devils after Colby McKercher bypassed the potential new club’s signing frenzy with his new contract at North Melbourne.
McKercher extended his draft deal by two more years, to the end of 2028, when the Devils are planned to be in the AFL.
That move took him off the board when the Devils go hunting during the 2027 season – assuming the club still enters the competition as planned – and McKercher is now the only Tasmanian in the AFL contracted beyond 2027.
The dashing Roo would have been right near the top of the wishlist, having made solid progress since being taken with the No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft.
Taken four picks later, Bulldog Ryley Sanders told this masthead last month he would “have to make a decision” when the Devils enter the league.
Sanders and McKercher are on track to be the two best Tasmanians in the game come 2027, with Richmond goalsneak Seth Campbell just behind them.
Sanders and Giant James Leake hold standardised draft contracts until the end of next season but are yet to extend beyond that.
Of course, McKercher could request a trade at the end of 2027 if he wanted.
Of the 20 Tasmanians in the AFL outside of McKercher, Fremantle captain Alex Pearce and Richmond runner Sam Banks have the longest deals, to the end of 2027.
McKercher said on Wednesday the hope of success at North Melbourne was part of the reason he stuck around.
“The potential that we could be playing finals next year with the way I see the group and how we are improving is really exciting and that is definitely a big reason why I re-signed,” he said.
With signing bonuses on hand, the Devils are expected to go hunting for big fishes.
It did not go unnoticed at the fledgling club that Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos didn’t rule out the possibility of playing on the Apple Isle when asked by media last week, even if he is tied to the Pies until the end of 2029.
A large cohort of stars are currently coming to the end of deals in 2027 and would surely be on the whiteboard of list manager Todd Patterson and recruiting head Derek Hine.
Essendon captain Zach Merrett, dual Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps, Adelaide excitement machine Izak Rankine, Fremantle ball magnet Caleb Serong are among that group.
Gold Coast star Matt Rowell and Port Adelaide gun Miles Bergman both signed two-year deals this week, which will place them at free agency when the Devils enter.
Swan Chad Warner did likewise earlier this year, even if the money is on a move to West Australia should he depart Sydney.
Adelaide excitement machine Izak Rankine, GWS bull Tom Green, Richmond No. 1 pick Sam Lalor and Sydney stopper Tom McCartin are also out at the end of 2027.
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Originally published as How Colby McKercher’s contract decision changes the Tasmanian Devils’ market
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