Devils 2028: Every Tassie players’ contract status - who should be key targets?
The Devils’ boss has earmarked player recruitment as an early priority. But which homegrown talents will be available and should be key targets? We break down every Tasmanian AFL players’ contract status.
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When Tasmania Devils CEO Brendon Gale was officially unveiled in front of media at Penguin last week, he highlighted player recruitment as an immediate priority.
“We need some experience and acumen and old heads around the table to help us work our way through these list concessions. It has a huge bearing on how we establish and set up the club.”
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at the Tasmanian products currently in the AFL, when they’re off contract and if they’d be a suitable target to be an inaugural Devil.
CHAYCE JONES (Adelaide, Longford/Launceston)
Age: 25
Games: 92
Contract status: Restricted free agent at the end of 2026
Jones has turned himself into a Crows regular, having played at least 15 games every season since 2020.
The Longford junior who played TSL with Launceston has played mostly on the wing the past couple of seasons
LACHIE COWAN (Carlton, Devonport)
Age: 20
Games: 24
Contract status: Contracted until end of 2026
The former Tassie Devils under-18 captain’s elite kicking off half-back saw him play 17 games in his second season, averaging over 12 touches. Will be entering his prime around 2028.
BRODY MIHOCEK (Collingwood, Burnie)
Age: 32
Games: 137
Contract status: Contracted until end of 2025
Mihocek is off contract after the coming season, but he may be too old to be a Devils target for 2028. Has established himself as the Magpies’ most important forward.
JEREMY HOWE (Collingwood, Dodges Ferry/Hobart)
Age: 34
Games: 252
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent at end of 2025
The reliable defender will have retired by 2028, but could come into calculations for a football department role to impart his wisdom on the Devils’ young guns.
JYE MENZIE (Essendon, North Hobart)
Age: 22
Games: 37
Contract status: Off contract end of 2025
After being picked up in the 2022 mid-season draft, Menzie has played 35 of his games the past two seasons. Has a high defensive work rate inside 50.
ALEX PEARCE (Fremantle, Ulverstone/Devonport)
Age: 29
Games: 122
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent end of 2027
The Dockers skipper has established himself as one of the AFL’s best key defenders and his leadership in the twilight of his career would be invaluable for the Devils. His passion for his Indigenous roots back home in Tasmania is well known.
JAKE KOLODJASHNIJ (Geelong, Launceston)
Age: 29
Games: 198
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent at end of 2026
The 2022 premiership player could be looked at to bolster Tassie’s defensive depth and provide experience, but wouldn’t be a key target.
LACHIE WELLER (Gold Coast, Burnie)
Age: 28
Games: 142
Contract status: Restricted free agent at end of 2026
After tearing his ACL twice, Weller returned to play six games for the Suns in the back end of last season. The fact he was thrust straight back to AFL level after such a long term injury shows how highly the classy backman is regarded by coach Damien Hardwick.
JAMES LEAKE (Giants, Launceston)
Age: 19
Games: 0
Contract status: Contracted until end of 2026
A quad injury gave Leake no chance of joining Colby McKercher, Arie Schoenmaker and Ryley Sanders in making a debut after all four players who hail from Launceston were selected in the 2023 draft. All going well, the versatile youngster should be a fully fledged, high impact player come 2028. Has been earmarked as a midfielder at the Giants.
COLBY MCKERCHER (North Melbourne, Launceston)
Age: 19
Games: 16
Contract status: Contracted until end of 2026
The number two draft pick’s devastating speed and elite skills already came to the fore across half-back in his debut season. He’s made no secret of his desire for more midfield minutes in 2025. McKercher is constantly asked about a potential return home, but has openly expressed he’s happy at the Kangaroos.
GEORDIE PAYNE (North Melbourne, Wynyard)
Age: 19
Games: 0
Contract status: Out of contract at the end of 2025
Considered unlucky not to be picked up in the 2023 draft, Payne dominated with the under-18 Devils to ensure the Roos gave him a chance via the mid-season draft. A quick, skilful player who can fill many roles, Payne was the Devils’ player of the year in 2023 playing off half-back, before moving to a midfield/forward role last year. Expected to debut this season.
SAM BANKS (Richmond, Clarence)
Age: 21
Games: 21
Contract status: Out of contract at the end of 2025
The defender or midfielder was picked up in the 2021 draft but started to make his mark at AFL level last year where he played 15 of his 21 games.
TOBY NANKERVIS (Richmond, North Launceston)
Age: 30
Games: 157
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent at the end of 2026
Likely retired by 2028, but the Richmond captain would be an invaluable option to help coach the Devils’ rucks or provide leadership advice.
RHYAN MANSELL (Richmond, North Launceston)
Age: 24
Games: 53
Contract status: Out of contract end of 2026
Mansell committed to the Tigers rebuild after his strong form up forwarded was rewarded with a two-year extension. Another who has recently admitted it would be tough to give up playing in front of huge crowds with the Tigers, but his skills around goal and relentless defensive pressure (averaged 3.1 tackles last year) has allowed him to become an AFL regular.
SETH CAMPBELL (Richmond, Burnie/North Launceston)
Age: 20
Games: 21
Contract status: Out of contract end of 2026
Picked up in the 2022 rookie draft and finally got his chance last year, playing 21 games at AFL level. Kicked 10 goals and has two more years to show what he can do at Tigerland, but should be approaching his career peak when the Devils enter the league.
JAMES WEBSTER (St Kilda, Glenorchy)
Age: 31
Games: 165
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent end of 2025
Made unwanted headlines after he received a huge seven game ban for his reckless bump on North Melbourne’s Jy Simpkin in last year’s pre-season. A reliable defender at the Saints for years, it’s likely his career will be over by the time the Devils start playing.
ARIE SCHOENMAKER (St Kilda, Launceston)
Age: 20
Games: 4
Contract status: Out of contract end of 2025
Off-field dramas meant he slipped down the draft order more than expected, but the long-kicking defender showed what he can do in four games for the Saints last year. Averaged nearly four rebound 50s and 15 disposals per game, and has one of the sweetest left boots in the league.
ROBBIE FOX (Sydney, Burnie)
Age: 31
Games 105
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent end of 2025
It could be a crucial year for Fox, who only just edged his way into the Swans’ losing grand final side last year. Can play both ends of the ground, but another in his early 30s where 2028 is likely a little too far off.
RYAN GARDNER (Bulldogs, Burnie)
Age: 27
Games: 53
A handful of injuries meant Gardner didn’t play an AFL game last year. Was picked up by Geelong in 2015 and listed again by the Bulldogs again in 2019 via the mid season draft.
LIAM JONES (Bulldogs, North Hobart)
Age: 33
Games: 200
Contract status: Out of contract end of 2025
Joined the 200-game club last year and will have retired by the time the Devils enter the league.
RYLEY SANDERS (Bulldogs, North Launceston)
Age: 20
Games: 14
Contract status: Out of contract end of 2026
Will undoubtedly be one of the key target for the Devils to try and lure home. Was in and out of the Bulldogs side in his first year as he finds his feet, but averaged over 16 touches, four tackles and two clearances per match in 14 games last year.
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