Tasmania Devils' NAB League crew have wasted little time preparing for 2022, with pre-season training underway.
With the national draft looming over the boys' team, the 85-strong unit followed in the girls' footsteps by starting this week.
While the 95-member girls' side are now into their third week of training, incoming coach Jeromey Webberley has worked his way around the state doing regional inductions and time trials with the boys' side.
Tasmania's 31 nominations for the AFL draft featured 17 members of last season's Tasmania Devils program and four others (Hamish Allan, Sam Collins, Oliver Davis and former West Coast-listed player Mitch O'Neill) who moved on from the side after 2019.
Northern talent operations lead Nathan Warren said those who aren't drafted could still play for the Devils in 2022.
"Whatever happens, it's definitely not the end of their football journey," he said.
"Whether they stay in the state, let's hope they do, but I think a lot of them have seen what's happened to the guys like [Jackson] Callow and Rhyan Mansell - you head away which isn't a great look but it's what the kids have been doing.
"For some, as disappointing as it would seem, we pick up the pieces a bit of the time but we just move on and let's go again with a couple of them.
"Some may come back as 19 year olds for this year with our group."
Wednesday's opening draft night, which featured the first round of players selected, saw no Tasmanians find their way onto an AFL list, with the main chances expected on Thursday or in Friday's rookie draft.
DEVIL NOMINATIONS
Tony Aganas (Launceston), Sam Banks (Clarence), Logan Elphinstone (Wynyard), Sam Foley (Launceston), Darcy Gardner (Clarence), Bailey Gillow (Launceston), Baynen Lowe (Devonport), Tyler McGinniss (North Hobart), George McLeod (North Hobart), Jye Menzie (NH), Zach Morris (Launceston), Keegan Ryan (NH), Oliver Sanders (NL), Baker Smith (Clarence), Will Splann (NH), Dominic White (NH).
Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
