UTAS Stadium will host four Tasmania Devils matches – more than any other venue in the state – for the under-18s return next year to the one-time TAC Cup competition.
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It’s been 17 seasons since the former Tassie Mariners appeared in the Victorian grassroots league that will be renamed after the transport accident commision ended its 27-year association.
But Launceston will be at the heart of the new-look Devils’ revival. Three of the city’s four fixtures will centre around Hawthorn matches.
Tasmania is scheduled to face Western Jets on April 28, Eastern Ranges on July 13 and Sandringham Dragons on July 27 at UTAS Stadium.
The venue also holds a standalone game with Murray Bushrangers on June 9.
Penguin will host the Devils’ first home match on April 14 against Calder Cannons.
North Hobart will stage three matches and Kingborough’s Twin Ovals one.
Bellerive’s only game will be an AFL curtain-raiser for North Melbourne on May 18.
Coach Adrian Fletcher was rapt with the home draw.
“It is important for us to play right across the state, as we are not a Hobart or Launceston team, but one for the entire state to unite behind,” Fletcher said.
“We want to unite passionate Tasmanians behind the Devils, just as we look to compete and give our players the best chance at reaching the highest level.”
Fletcher added that with four of the side’s 10 home games being played on AFL match days will prove to be invaluable to his players.
No Victorian clubs host under-18 curtain-raisers.
“This competition is a great breeding ground for future AFL talent,” he said.
“By these curtain-raisers, it provides our boys with the best chance to capture the public’s support and to perform on a big stage, while also tasting what that AFL environment is all about.”
Tasmania’s girls are set to play three invitational games ahead of entry into the Victorian competition in 2020.
They take on Western Jets on April 26 at Werribee and Eastern Ranges two days later in Craigieburn before a third on May 18 against a yet to be determined opponent.
The additional matches will be a warm-up ahead of the girls’ under-18 national championships in June.