Tasmania Devils shine in front of league recruiters on a day of testing and intra-club games at Twin Ovals

Outstanding individual performances and a five-goal haul have put the Devils’ best in the spotlight in front of AFL and AFLW recruiters. Here’s who kicked a bag:

Tayla Hoiberg-Cox passes the ball away from an opponent in the talent program players practice match at Twin Ovals on Sunday 23rd February 2025. Picture: Linda Higginson

The future of Tasmania’s VFL and AFL teams was on full show at the Twin Ovals on Sunday as the Tasmania Devils’ testing day aimed to uncover the next big thing in Tassie footy _ and recruiters from 11 AFL clubs were along for the ride.

The cream of the Devils under-16 and under-18 boys and girls squads were put through their paces in an AFL Draft-style testing session, watched by 227-game, 149-goal former Collingwood star, now National Academy coach, Tarkyn Lockyer.

Alongside Devils under-18 and development coaches, the Class of 2025 was under the microscope from recruiters from 11 AFL clubs and seven AFLW teams.

Ben Barwick in control of the ball in the talent program players practice match at Twin Ovals on Sunday 23rd February 2025. Picture: Linda Higginson

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for our players to experience a testing day, all the physical testing elements that are required and potentially show off their athletic ability,” Webberley said.

“To have the AFL and AFLW recruiters watching our intra-club matches post the testing is another opportunity for players to put themselves on show.”

The players were also assessed on how they interacted and carried themselves throughout the day.

“They look for good scores and our playing group have all had fantastic preseasons, so as a collective group we saw some good scores.”

The scrutiny went up a notch when the Devils Girls hit the field for practice match, followed by the Devils Boys.

Talent program players Amarli Johnson and Amber Mumford in a practice match at Twin Ovals on Sunday 23rd February 2025. Picture: Linda Higginson

Devils Girls development coach Jess Wuetschner said her group shone on the day.

“It’s an exciting time and a bit nerve-wracking for them to be able to put their best foot forward in front of some of the recruiters in the AFLW space through the testing and in the game as well,” Wuetschner said.

“We wanted the girls to go out and play their natural game and there were a few stand-out performances and everyone competed really well.”

Small forward Stevie-Lee Johns put herself at the top of the list of AFLW recruiters with her five-goal performance.

Talent program player Taia Lette gets away from an opponent in a practice match at Twin Ovals on Sunday 23rd February 2025. Picture: Linda Higginson

“Stevie was electric up forward _ probably could have had seven goals _ and Asha Newman also scored a couple and she was dynamic,” Wuetschner said.

“The likes of Mia Anderson and Priya Bowering and Harriet Bingley were all strong as well.”

Wuetschner must now cut her squad of 50 down to 38 in the new few weeks. The Devils Girls opening game of the 2025 Coates League season is not until Anzac Day.