Brief

Tasmania Devils unveil first signings, secure local prospect Hugh McCallum

The new AFL club has named seven under‑age players and secured a homegrown talent who will start his career in 2028.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 29 Sep 2026 13:44:04 GMT

The Tasmania Devils, the Australian Football League’s 19th club, announced a group of seven under‑age players ahead of their 2028 entry, including 18‑year‑old Hugh McCallum who has been persuaded to skip the 2026 draft.

First‑round signings

The club’s inaugural list now includes Axel Walsh, Jake Miller, Riley Stratford, Baxter Sruk, Nate Jenkins, Griffin Barker and Angus Brown. All are under‑17 players pre‑listed under the AFL’s concessions for Tasmania’s early years.

Homegrown talent

McCallum, a 181‑centimetre wingman from Clarence, was viewed as a potential top‑30 draft pick. He has signed on as a homegrown player and will join the Devils in round one, 2028, bypassing the 2026 draft. The move was welcomed by coach Ken Hinkley and head of development Nigel Lappin.

Concessions and list building

Under the AFL Commission’s approval, Tasmania may pre‑list up to 12 players over two seasons and has flexible list sizes for years two to four. The club also benefits from a signing‑on bonus pool outside the salary cap and priority access to 17‑year‑olds.

Player profiles

Walsh is a 197‑cm ruckman from Western Australia, while Miller is a 197‑cm key forward from the Western Jets who kicked four goals in a national championships match against South Australia. The other signings are considered promising prospects.

Key facts

Tasmania Devils announced seven under‑age players: Axel Walsh, Jake Miller, Riley Stratford, Baxter Sruk, Nate Jenkins, Griffin Barker, Angus Brown (smh.com.au)
Hugh McCallum, 18, will bypass the 2026 draft and join the Devils in 2028 (smh.com.au)
The club can pre‑list up to 12 players over two seasons under AFL concessions (smh.com.au)
Tasmania’s list can hold up to 48 players in years two, three and four (smh.com.au)

Background

The Tasmania Devils are preparing for their first AFL season in 2028. The club’s first official signings were announced at a gala event in Hobart on 29 September 2026.