Our rolling coverage of the Tasmanian AFL team announcement

The Tasmania Football Club’s logo and jumper has been revealed plus everything you need to know about becoming a member. See how the big occasion played out.

After a decades of waiting, the Tasmania Football Club is officially here.

Monday March 18, 2024 is set to be an historic night for both Tasmania and the wider AFL with the reveal of the club’s name, logo, jumper, branding and membership all revealed.

Tasmanian AFL heavyweights flew in from right across the country to be on hand at launch sites in Hobart, Launceston, Oatlands, Queenstown, Devonport and St Helens.

Take a look at how the night played out.

A TEENAGER’S DREAM

A collective cheer rocked the auditorium at the University of Tasmania’s Hedberg theatre on Monday night when the “team that was told it would never happen” was launched in Hobart.

Tasmania’s four-time premiership Hawk and former AFL coach Rodney Eade and Brisbane AFLW premiership star Jess Wuetschner got the party started when they revealed the Tasmania Football Club’s colours — myrtle green, primrose yellow and rose red.

Footy fans tightly packed into the theatre were on the edge of the seat as “Rocket” Eade made the announcement.

“In 1908 our colours were agreed to in a documented meeting of the Tasmanian Football League and over recent months the Tasmanian community, our AFL and AFLW alumni and our key stakeholders have reinforced their connection with our colours,” Eade said.

“Tonight we breathe fresh life into those exact colours as Tasmanian football forges a new path onto the national stage. Our traditional colours will endure as Tasmanian

football forges a new path onto the national stage.”

The jumper reveal was a poignant moment as a group of Tasmania’s finest young players took to the stage in plain black shirts, which they peeled away to show the inaugural strip.

And 17-year-old star and Tasmanian draft hope Priya Bowring was jumping out of her skin with excitement.

Bowring, great niece to Tasmania’s AFL Hall of Fame Icon, and four-time Richmond premiership player Royce Hart, said the challenge was clear for Tassie girls far and wide.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic,” Priya said.

“It’s such an awesome thing to be a part of and I am so proud that I get to be involved in such an historic occasion.

“It has finally happened and it’s just amazing.”

The Tasmania Devils Girls team is already one of the best in the Coates Talent League for elite under-18 players and the Tasmania Football Club launch would light a fire under all of them.

“It’s the talk of the club right now and it will open a lot of doors for the girls who want to play AFLW,” she said.

“It’s great to have a pathway without having to leave home.”

Priya wants to encourage her peers to follow their dreams because you never know what might happen.

“Have a crack,” she said.

“Seriously, stick with it because it’s the best sport you’ll ever play and now there’s an AFL team and AFLW team you really have a go.”

The vibe at the launch augured well for widespread support for the Devils.

“It was amazing to be here tonight, everyone is so up and about,” Priya said.

“You can tell everyone here are real supporters so it’s nice to have that kind of atmosphere.”

Tasmania team memberships are only $10 and are available at www.tasmaniafc.com

GWS WITH A CHEEKY WELCOME

The GWS Giants social media has quickly emerged as a favourite among footy fans in recent months — and now they’ve made the most of the Devils’ arrival.

In a cheeky post on X (formerly known as Twitter), the Giants posted a video from popular move Toy Story of themselves being thrown out alongside the Gold Coast Suns.

Check it out below.

Enjoy your new toy @AFL… pic.twitter.com/2ykpoglVFs

— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) March 18, 2024

MEMBERSHIPS LAUNCHED

Tasmania Devils Football Club chairman Grant O’Brien urged all supporters far and wide to sign on as foundation members to close out the formalities.

“What we are launching is quite possibly the most exciting and inclusive foundation membership campaign ever,” O’Brien said.

“It has been designed so we can all be founding members. It’s just $10.

“This is the start of our membership journey and is such an important way for you to show your commitment to our club.

“While our club does not yet have players, we have a team. We are the team.

“I ask you to sign up and to become an ambassador for your club. Please encourage all of those around you, whether Tasmanian or not, to become a founding member of our club and be part of our journey.”

The membership site will go live at 6.43pm.

You can sign up HERE.

WHAT THE MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES

The $10 Founding Membership includes as per the club website:

• A special digital Founding Membership card, with your member ID to be able to purchase merchandise and other member benefits.
• You will also receive a sensational Founding Member sticker – there are three to choose from.
• You will receive member exclusive communication, access to member exclusive merchandise.
• Most importantly, as a Founding Member your name will be represented in our training and administration home forever, we are not exactly sure how we will do it yet, but we can guarantee you your name will be there forever.

IT HAD TO BE THOSE COLOURS

Former AFLW player and Old Launcestonians coach Abbey Green said “it had to be the tradition colours” after the launch.

“I feel like it had to be the traditional colours, it had to be the Tassie Devils. We went to community events and everyone had their input, and this is where it needs to be,” she told this masthead.

“We had a lot of feedback that said keep the tradition going, and it was about what Tasmania wanted and it was the overwhelming response. I think it’s beautiful, it really reflects where we are as people.”

And on the prospects of the AFLW team moving forward, she said: “the juniors will be primed when it does come in”.

AFL’S WARNER BROS AGREEMENT

The AFL has confirmed it has reached an agreement regarding the use of the Tasmanian Devil.

It was confirmed in a joint statement on Monday evening after the official launch event.

“Warner Bros. Discovery and the AFL have come to an amicable agreement and look forward to seeing footy fans across Tasmania support the AFL’s newest football club, the Tasmania Devils. The ‘Devils’ will no doubt be a club that unites the state and showcases the best of Tasmania,” the statement said.

The Tasmania Devils foundation jumper is revealed. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

THE JUMPER

It’s official, the Tasmanian Football Club has an official jumper.

Across the six live sites, young stars of the future unveiled the foundation jumper.

See it below.

“This jumper is one that has been worn with pride for many years and we will take to the national stage as we compete in the AFL and AFLW,” O’Brien said.

“The famous jumper bearing the map of our island has endured many contests and famous victories and inspired our champions and our supporters over the years – it’s our flag and we will ensure it continues to fly and be worn proudly.

“We will have other jumpers that this Club plays in, but at their heart will be the map.”

Shaun Kongwa and Mia Barwick sporting the new Tasmania Devils jumpers. Picture: Linda Higginson / Tasmania Football Club

MEET OUR NEW LOGO

In Hobart, Community football leader Andrew Hopwood led the logo reveal while a group of Tassie teenagers revealed the jumper design to launch applause and appreciate of the moment.

Wynyard Football Club president Kent Jackson had the honour of revealing the Devil logo of the club in Devonport and also said the name of the mascot would be decided by the Tasmanian people.

“You will get the opportunity in the coming months to help name our Devil,” Jackson said.

“A devil that embraces our past but looks forward to our future.”

The Devils logo has been announced.

COLOURS, NICKNAME UNVEILED

The colours and nickname of the Tasmanian Football Club have officially been unveiled.

Young rising star Abbey Green officially announced the name as the Devils.

Matthew Richardson said it was a well overdue night for Tasmania prior to revealing the colours the team would wear - myrtle green, rose red and primrose yellow.

“To be representing 150 years of history is how long we have been playing this great game down here so I think we are well overdue for this.”

In Launceston, Jack Riewoldt expressed his excitement.

“For 150 years we’ve played this game with passion. Tonight we start our new club, a new identity that will represent all of us,” he said.

“Let me take you back to 1908. The Tasmanian Football League met in a place like this and agreed what people would look like. We found ourselves here Tasmanians dotted around the state to announce our identity.

“Over the last few months we’ve met with the community, our past players and a whole range of Tasmanians and the answer was simple, this is who we are”

Jack Riewoldt and Abbey Green unveil the colours in Tasmania.

RICHO’S TASSIE PRIDE

Richmond and Tasmanian hero Matthew Richardson said the announcement of a Tasmanian team is still sinking in.

Speaking from the Devonport live site on the AFL’s live stream, the champion forward made his thoughts clear.

“It’s a massive moment in our state history and our rich football history,” he said.

“If you had of told me when I grew up here in Devonport that I’d be back here announcing colours for our AFL team I wouldn’t have believed you.

“It’s a huge night.”

ANTICIPATION BUILDS

We’re getting very excited because the big announcement isn’t too away.

While we wait for the action to get started, catch up on some of the content our team has written ahead of this historic occasion.

Jon Tuxworth spoke to local legends Peter Hudson and Rodney Eade about what today meant. CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Sport editor James Bresnehan has overseen the campaign for a team for his extended career with the Mercury. He wrote about what it meant for him. STORY HERE.

Plenty of big names are also set to be at the six live sites. SEE WHO.

And fans have had a go at pulling their own designs together. CHECK THEM OUT.