Devils 2028: Every Tassie players’ contract status – Who’s still up for grabs?
As the Devils’ entry into the AFL draws closer, a second Tasmanian in the space of a week has been delisted from his current club. EVERY TASMANIANS STAR’S STATUS ANALYSED.
As the Devils’ entry into the AFL draws closer, who will be the Tasmanians in the shop window who may be lured by the comforts of home from 2028?
We’ve analysed the contract status of every Tasmanian star in the AFL, with some potential targets still available and others locked down by their current clubs.
Chayce Jones (Adelaide, Longford)
Age: 25
Games: 97
Contract status: Restricted free agent at the end of 2026
The utility returned to the Crows’ line-up for the last five games of the regular season, but didn't feature in finals and could very realistically be on the radar for the Devils.
A Longford junior who played TSL with Launceston, he could be at the right time of his career to return home in 2028.
Lachie Cowan (Carlton, Devonport)
Age: 20
Games: 38
Contract: Until end of 2028
Cowan, who has earned notoriety with Blues fans who yell ‘Moo!’ when he gets the ball, re-signed for a further two years until the end of 2028 in July.
The former Tassie Devils under-18s captain averaged a career best 14.5 touches per game this year and is a quality ball user off half-back.
Brody Mihocek (Collingwood, Burnie)
Age: 32
Games: 159
Contract: Unrestricted free agent end of 2025
The key forward has declared his intent to join Melbourne after he wasn't satisfied with the offer presented by Collingwood, who he helped win a premiership in 2023.
He has entrenched himself as one of Collingwood’s more important forwards in recent seasons and kicked 36 goals this year.
Jeremy Howe (Collingwood, Dodges Ferry/Hobart)
Age: 35
Games: 271
Contract: Unrestricted free agent at end of 2025
Another Pies veteran signed on for a 16th AFL season late last month. Howe’s absence with injuries in the back end of the year may have shown just how important he is to their defensive set up.
Jye Menzie (Essendon, North Hobart)
Age: 22
Games: 47
Contract: Delisted after this season
Menzie only played ten games for the delisted Bombers this year before he was delisted after his fourth season. This week he was announced as the first signing for Tasmania's new VFL side, to enter the competition next year
A small forward with a strong defensive ethic, Menzie played six games of the first half of the season, and returned for the last three games of the campaign.
Alex Pearce (Fremantle, Ulverstone/Devonport)
Age: 30
Games: 138
Contract: Unrestricted free agent end of 2027
The Fremantle skipper is off contract before the Devils first planned season in 2028, but whether he will be too old for Tassie to chase him remains to be seen. He could provide good leadership in their first couple of seasons.
Jake Kolodjashnij (Geelong, Launceston)
Age: 30
Games: 198
Contract: Unrestricted free agent end of 2026
The veteran defender is knocking on the door of 200 games but has endured a wretched 2025 due to injury.
He underwent surgery in June to address a groin issue which has limited him to just a couple of VFL games this season. He made his return in the reserves late in the season, but ran out of time to force his way back into the strong Cats line-up.
Lachie Weller (Gold Coast, Burnie)
Age: 29
Games: 161
Contract: Restricted free agent end of 2026
Weller was one of Tasmania’s feel-good AFL stories this year, playing in the Suns’ maiden finals campaign after a couple of horror years through injury.
After tearing his ACL twice, he returned for six games last year and played 19 in 2025.
He has made it clear he intends to re-sign at the Suns before next season begins.
"I don't want to go into next season being out of contract, so we'll look at doing something soon," he told AAP in August.
"I've been around the tough days and hopefully the last few years of my career can be nice, good ones."
James Leake (Giants, Launceston)
Age: 20
Games: 3
Contract: Non-free agent end of 2026
Leake made his debut in round one this year and played three games.
Injuries, particularly in pre-season has hampered his cause, but the Giants showed the faith they have in him by extending his contract by two years until the end of 2028 last month.
“James is a really exciting young talent and we know he’s got a bright future at the club,” Giants football manager Jason McCartney said.
“He’s a natural footballer who reads the game exceptionally well and he’s continued to show he’s a class above at VFL level and really banging down the door for more opportunities in our AFL side.
Colby McKercher (North Melbourne, Launceston)
Age: 20
Games: 39
Contract: Non-free agent end of 2028
The Devils’ hopes of luring the no. 2 draft pick back to Tassie hit a huge hurdle when he extended his contract with North Melbourne by two years until the end of 2028 last month.
He averaged over 23 touches per game this year and also added 12 goals after spending more time in the midfield in 2025.
Geordie Payne (North Melbourne, Wynyard)
Age: 19
Games: 3
Contract: Delisted by Kangaroos
The Wynyard livewire was snapped up by the Roos with the first pick of the 2024 mid season rookie draft. But he was cut on Wednesday after playing the last three games of the season, kicking three goals.
The 19-year-old could loom as an option for Tasmania's VFL side, coached by his old under-18 mentor Jeromey Webberley.
Sam Banks (Richmond, Clarence)
Age: 22
Games: 43
Contract: Non-free agent end of 2027
Banks is currently an option for the Devils given he is off contract in 2027, with the Devils to enter the league in 2028.
He signed a two-year extension in June after strong form off half-back, with his former Tassie Devils coach Jeromey Webberley rating him one of the best kicks he’s come across.
Banks would undoubtedly be viewed as a major piece of the Tigers’ rebuild, so it could be tough to lure him back home.
Toby Nankervis (Richmond, North Launceston)
Age: 31
Games: 179
Contract: Unrestricted free agent end of 2026
The Tigers captain and reliable ruck is offering valuable leadership to arguably the youngest list in the league.
He will almost certainly be retired by 2028, but would be an ideal candidate for an off field role in the Devils’ football department.
Rhyan Mansell (Richmond, North Launceston)
Age: 25
Games: 73
Contract: Non-free agent end of 2026
Mansell has had one of his better seasons since his AFL debut in 2021, including becoming the first Richmond player to kick three goal and have more than 20 touches against Geelong in round 17. He looks likely to be a required player for the Tigers moving forward.
He described getting the chance to design the Tigers’ Dreamtime guernsey for their annual clash with Essendon as “his most memorable moment in football.”
Seth Campbell (Richmond, Burnie/North Launceston)
Age: 20
Games: 43
Contract: Non-free agent end of 2029
One of the bigger Tassie success stories of the season, the livewire small forward has enjoyed a breakout campaign including 28 goals and 56 tackles.
That form was rewarded with a three-year contract season until the end of 2029 in July, with his agent later confirming the Devils had made inquiries about his status.
James Webster (St Kilda, Glenorchy)
Age: 32
Games: 180
Contract: Retired end of 2025
Webster retired after playing 15 games in his 13th season at the Saints. Not an AFL prospect, but could potentially play a role in Tasmania's VFL side.
Arie Schoenmaker (St Kilda, Launceston)
Age: 20
Games: 7
Contract: Delisted by St Kilda
After being picked up late in the 2023 draft, the tall defender was delisted by St Kilda after playing seven games in two seasons.
Could be a prospect for the Devils down the track.
Robbie Fox (Sydney, Burnie)
Age: 32
Games: 105
Contract: Delisted at end of 2025
The experienced defender was delisted after nine seasons at the Swans after having to wait until June to play his first game of the year in the VFL due to a calf injury.
After being a late inclusion for the Swans’ grand final appearance in 2024, he didn't play an AFL game this year. Could be a target for Tasmania's VFL side.
Ryan Gardner (Bulldogs, Burnie)
Age: 28
Games: 54
Contract: Unrestricted free agent end of 2026
Gardner was given a lifeline by the Bulldogs in 2019 after leaving Geelong, and played 32 games in 2023-24.
But he was restricted to just one this year, against the Hawks in round 14, and still has a year left on his deal.
Liam Jones (Bulldogs, North Hobart)
Age: 34
Games: 205
Contract: Delisted at end of 2025
The veteran defender’s AFL career has come to an end after he was delisted by the Bulldogs after debuting way back in 2010.
The 34-year-old played just five games this season after playing his 200th in last year’s elimination final against Hawthorn, and has joined the Lions as a development coach.
Ryley Sanders (Bulldogs, North Launceston)
Age: 20
Games: 35
Contract: Non-free agent end of 2026
Sanders enjoyed a strong second season, averaging nearly 19 disposals a game as well as 13 goals.
But he could well be a realistic target for the Devils after he was dropped late in the season by the Bulldogs, where they narrowly missed the finals.
Mansell buzzing about Tigers’ young guns
Rhyan Mansell is excited about the potential of Richmond’s small forward brigade.
At 25-years-old and with 71 games of experience to his name, the Tasmanian product is the most experienced of a group which has caught the eye this season.
Mansell has become a senior regular under coach Adem Yze the last two seasons with the likes of fellow Tassie local Seth Campbell taking major strides in their development.
Maurice Rioli Jnr’s pressure has been a standout in the back half of the season since earning a recall from the VFL.
And 2024 draftees Taj Hotton and number one pick Sam Lalor have shown glimpses of their ability during injury interrupted seasons.
“Super exciting that we’ve got such a young group,” Mansell told this masthead.
“I think it’s given us middle aged guys to step up and really help develop these younger boys as quick as we can.
“There is definitely strong competition for spots in that small forward role. You’ve seen Seth really step up this year, he’s been outstanding. Maurice has come back into the side after a VFL stint he’s been really good.
“Taj Hotton, he’s very exciting as well. As soon as they get a bit of experience, I think we’re going to be a pretty good team and it’s exciting times at Richmond.”
Mansell said he felt his own form had been a “little bit inconsistent” this season but has found himself in a purple patch in recent weeks with nine goals in five games.
It followed an interrupted opening half of the year where he was suspended for three matches for pushing an opponent into a contest and injuring him.
The Tiger was cited after pushing St Kilda’s Liam O’Connell into a contest with the defender concussed.
Since returning to the side, Mansell said he was enjoying his footy.
“I’ve just narrowed my focus to a couple of things each game, that has really helped me the last few weeks in particular,” he said.
“Just staying present because it is tough, AFL footy. Just going out there and having fun with 22 of my best mates.”
When Mansell does run out against North Melbourne on Sunday afternoon at Ninja Stadium it will be the North Launceston product’s first game in his home state since being drafted.
He was taken by the Tigers as a SSP signing after a SANFL premiership with Woodville-West Torrens in 2020.
He played for the Tasmania Devils as an overage player in 2019 while also featuring in three Tasmanian State League premierships with North Launceston in his youth.
“Looking forward to getting down there in front of friends and family,” Mansell said.
“Nan and Pop struggle to get over to Melbourne and watch regularly. I can’t wait to get back and play in front of them and see them after the game.”
Richmond has become a home away from home for several Tasmanians with a quartet from the Apple Isle at the club.
They include Campbell, Mansell, Sam Banks and skipper Toby Nankervis.
“We usually get the piss taken out of us,” Mansell said.
“Always around each other, it’s good banter, always fun around the club.”
