The outstanding midfielder has played 92 VFL games and is shaping to become the first Tasmanian to reach the 100-VFL game milestone.

Callinan is one of the most highly credentialled footballers the State has produced. His outstanding 2005 VFL season saw his list of football accolades grow with the addition of the 2005 Alastair Leitch Medal for Tasmania's best VFL player and the 2005 J.J. Liston Medal as joint winner of the best player in the VFL competition.

But despite the acclaim, he has been continually overlooked by AFL clubs in the annual draft over the past few seasons - prompting some football experts to describe him as the best Tasmanian footballer not to be drafted.

"Every player wants to play AFL footy as a dream but I haven't been able to do it but it's no use crying about it," Callinan said.

"I try not to worry about that sort of thing and just concentrate on playing the way I know I can play and let my football do the talking." Callinan said he was looking forward to another successful season with the Devils in 2006.

"Everyone wants to win a premiership and to win one for our State would be ideal and what we're aiming at," he said.

The Devils partial alliance with the AFL Kangaroos this season should make a big difference in overcoming the deficiency the side has had in height over the past few seasons.

"With the North Melbourne alignment and the players we've needed it's an exciting time at the moment," Callinan said.

The Tassie Devils are likely to be boosted by some experienced AFL talent in their round one clash tomorrow night, including former Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs defender Jade Rawlings and another of the Roos' most consistent players Troy Makepeace.

THE DEVILS' LIST: Page 98