State under-25 coach Jamie Hayward hopes the side picked for Sunday's representative clash will feature some faces from the state's first Tasmania Devils VFL team in 2021.
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Two years after the state's last interstate clash and 18 months out from the its re-entry into the VFL, Tasmania will get an early test of how its talent is tracking in a one-off clash with Victoria Metro.
Hayward said the side had knitted together tightly after coming together last month, and would not be found wanting for chemistry come Sunday afternoon.
RELATED: Final 23 named for state team
"It hasn't taken long for a really good vibe to develop amongst the playing group and the coaching group as well," Hayward said.
"The vibe is really starting to build and the guys are genuinely excited.
"Training at UTAS was exceptional in terms of the guys all coming together and getting around each other.
"We have no doubt that by the time we get through to Sunday this team will perform and behave as though they've been together for months or years, not weeks."
All seven TSL clubs were represented in the final 23-man team named by AFL Tasmania on Thursday, with Burnie's Bailey Boag the only player picked from outside the state's top-flight competition.
Captain Josh McGuinness headlines three former AFL-listed players among the state's ranks, which also includes reigning Alastair Lynch medallist Josh Ponting and former VFL forward Aiden Grace.
Hayward said he hoped Sunday's game would be just the start of a long career in green for many of his players.
"I think when you look at the team make-up for this Sunday there's definitely a large percentage of these guys that we would be looking at to run out in the jumper in 2021 as part of that VFL team," he said.
"It's a really good balance - we've got some really good sizes and shapes and different levels of ability in terms of what they can offer and what their attributes are.
"A large percentage of these guys if they're still around and still playing footy - which we hope they will be - will certainly be in the mix to be part of that squad."
Tasmania's last played representative football in 2017, when Melbourne recruit Jay Lockhart won the Lefroy Medal in a tough loss to the NEAL.
"What we're hoping to provide [with the VFL] is a platform for players such as the Jay Lockharts of this world that can remain in our home state if that's what they wish to do with family and friends, and still get the opportunity to perform at a higher level and remain under the eye of AFL club recruiters," Hayward said.
TASMANIA DEVILS
- B: 14. A. Richter-Salter (North Launceston), 19. S. Siggins (Lauderdale), 1. J. Holmes (Clarence)
- HB: 26. J. Foon (North Launceston), 7. H. Gunther (Glenorchy), 15. J. Smith (Launceston)
- C: 22. C. Brown (Launceston), 20. K. Lovell (Tigers FC), 43. J. McGuinness (Captain - Lauderdale)
- HF: 2. A. Saunders (Lauderdale), 24. E. Trupp (Lauderdale), 10. H. Kerinaiua (Lauderdale)
- F: 8. C. Daly (Glenorchy), 6. A. Grace (Glenorchy), 21. S. Egger (North Launceston)
- FOLL: 23. A. Lee (North Launceston), 4. J. Ponting (North Launceston), 9. B. Kamaric (Glenorchy)
- INT: 3. J. Webb (Glenorchy), 5. B. Boag (Burnie), 13. E. Reardon (Tigers FC), 29. C. Kilpatrick (North Hobart), 17. P. Bellchambers (Lauderdale)
SCHEDULE
Sunday 9 June - UTAS Stadium, Launceston
- 10:00am - Tasmania Devils v Murray Bushrangers (NAB League Round 10)
- 12:30pm - Allies v Victoria Country (NAB U18 National Championships)
- 3:00pm - Tasmania Devils v Victoria Metro (U25 Representative Match)