Jack Riewoldt says Tasmania could be given priority access to sons of Tasmanian-born AFL players

One of Tasmanian football’s top AFL products has flagged a father-son loophole which could allow the league’s newest club to have priority access to the sons and daughters of players from the Apple Isle.

Proud Tasmanian and Richmond legend Jack Riewoldt says the Devils could receive father-son rights to the children of Tasmanian-born AFL players with 100 games at any club in a decision that could turn established father-son rights on their head.

Some of footy’s biggest names hail from Tasmania, including Jack and Nick Riewoldt, Matthew Richardson, Jeremy Howe, Alex Pearce, Liam Jones and Toby Nankervis.

The AFL continues to work through the list allowance package for Tasmania as the Devils make clear there is a sense of urgency to give them an elite package in enough time to plan their upcoming draft strategy.

St Kilda has had few father-son picks of any note but Nick Riewoldt has three boys who might eventually make the grade and be forced into a decision on their future.

The AFL could rule that Tasmania only has access to the sons of players who have played a set number of games in the Tasmanian football league.

But Riewoldt, officially finding the “identity” of the new Devils side as part of his work with the club, believes it is likely Tasmania will secure a broad range of father-son rights.

Brody Mihocek playing for the Tassie state side.

Jack Riewoldt says Tasmania is set to be given father-son access to the sons of players born in the state.

“My understanding is if you are born in Tasmania and played 100 games of AFL football, they are going to have access to them at some point. So there are some pretty famous names out of (Tasmania) who have got sons and daughters who maybe do have the option of playing at their club their parents played at, or choosing the club where their parent was born.

“There will be a cut-off for AFLW football (father-daughter, mother-daughter and mother-son) because that will become more prevalent. There are a lot of girls from Tasmania who have played AFLW like Jess Wuetschner, who just got inducted into the Hall of Fame and coaches the Under-16 and Under-18 girls in Tasmania. So I am sure it will be a hot topic of debate when those drafts roll around.”

An AFLW player is eligible to be drafted to the club her father played for if he played even a single game with that team.

Other Tasmanians currently in the league include Jimmy Webster, Robbie Fox, Sam Banks, Jye Menzie and Jake Kolodjashnij.

Former Melbourne ruckman Jeff White’s son Kalani has a decision to make this year between the Demons and Gold Coast but it is because he is part of the Suns academy.

Gold Coast and GWS have not yet had a father-son but they have rich access to academies in their states.

Tasmanian prospects Colby McKercher (North Melbourne), James Leake (GWS) and Ryley Sanders (Western Bulldogs). Picture: AFL Tasmania

Tasmania had Colby McKercher, Ryley Sanders and James Leake chosen in the first round of 2023 national draft but didn’t have a player drafted last year.

Tasmanian ruckman Jasper Hay is the only player leading into the 2025 season who is considered a draft contender and even then he has much work to do on his kicking.

Riewoldt is desperate for the new team to thrive but says the sense of pride it will instil in the entire state is just as important given the long years of waiting for a Devils outfit in the AFL.

“There’s a generation of kids that are being born now, or are five years of age who are all going to go for the Tasmanian Devils, and that’s the most exciting thing. Its going to be huge for not only the sporting landscape and football landscape, just the genuine pride in the state, the genuine social status of the people in Tasmania. And we hope that everyone thrives on it.”