TASMANIA becomes the new-look NAB League’s thirteenth side this year, competing week-in, week-out in the competition which provides over half of the AFL’s new talent come draft time. With a combination of raw prospects and proven talent shining through and looking to follow in the footsteps of 2018 draftees Chayce Jones, Tarryn Thomas, and Fraser Turner, the Devils are well placed to cause headaches for the established Victorian sides.

New AFL Tasmania Talent Football Manager Craig Notman said his side is excited by the opportunity this “unique challenge” presents, with Tassie talent now able to measure itself against the best on a weekly basis.

“In excess of 60 per cent of the draft population comes out of the NAB League so the opportunity for our boys to compete and effectively compare apples with apples I think actually helps our cause and what we’re trying to do,” Notman said. “I think it’s a different kettle of fish… for our kids, it’s a great opportunity for them and it’s great for footy in the state too so this is the first step in a really exciting journey.”

Leading the top-age talent this year is midfield ace Mitch O’Neill, who will be looking to build on his impressive 2018 season. Notman says the Allies representative is slowly building into form.

“When you look at previous form, Mitch has got some runs on the board,” Notman said. “He’s had an interrupted pre-season but just started to come into some games and some good form so we’re really looking forward to seeing how he goes first round against opposition.”

Others in the mix include over-age North Melbourne Next Generation Academy member, Matt McGuinness, as well as co-captain Nic Davis. Notman said the former will boost the side’s versatility, while the latter is improving key areas of his game.

“Matt had the opportunity to go to North Melbourne earlier on in the pre-season to play a trial game at senior level and performed quite well… he’ll play across half back, he’ll play on a wing, and he’ll play through the midfield at times I’m sure – he’s got great flexibility and a great left foot kick so we want to utilise that,” he said. “Baker has lead from the front in what he’s done in training and match sense to this point so I think he’s made some inroads into flaws that people perceived. “He’s racking up a lot of the ball in the midfield, he’s pushing forward taking grabs and hitting the scoreboard too which is really good to see.”

A successful 2018 Under 16 Division 2 campaign means the state’s bottom-age talent also “looks rosy”, with some likely types set to make an impact across all lines.

“The kids are coming on really nicely – I think the (Jackson) Callow‘s of the world, Sam Collins, Oliver Davis, those boys have been doing a really good job up until this point,” Notman said.

Callow is a solidly built key forward who may well double as a defender throughout the season, while Collins and Davis are tidy users who can play both across half back or through the midfield.

While the talent coming through is set to provide some exciting moments, the Devils are focussed on delivering a brand of football true to the state, playing on the reputation built by those before them.

“One of the big things in the game simulation that the boys want to work on was that they want to be hard at it, I think that’s a trait that’s been a Tassie trait in footy for a long period of time,” Notman said. “A lot of these boys have been playing state league footy against men so they’ve probably been forced out of their comfort zone a little bit… we want to keep the ball well and compete and be stronger – that’s the real key, to be a real competitive unit.”

Having swapped duties at the perennially successful Oakleigh Chargers for this Apple Isle pursuit, Notman hopes to use his notable experience to help the state make “the first step in a really exciting journey.”

“I think there’s a lot of things from the Oakleigh program that I’ve looked to bring into what we’re doing but at the same time, this is a unique program too and we want to have our own spin on things and drive it that way,” he said.

With a whole state to back them and more than just a region of talent to choose from, Notman is hoping a home ground advantage, slight as it may be, can make a difference throughout the season.

“The fact that we’re playing at home in front of family and friends and the footy community which is really getting behind the program I think that’ll give the boys a huge interest to get the best out of themselves,” Notman said. “In some cases some of the boys will be travelling further to get the home game than what the travelling sides will be… I think it’s an interesting one.”

The Devils may have to wait until Round 4 to play on home turf, but are set to kick off its NAB League campaign with a trip to Sydney to face the Swans Academy on Saturday.