OFF-SEASONS can often be the catalyst for in-season success, and several state league clubs will hope that is the case in 2026. In a new series on Rookie Me Central, we highlight some of the most exciting recruitment drives from around the country. Next up is the newly formed Tasmania Devils VFLW side.

>> RECRUITMENT DRIVE: Devils VFL

The inaugural squad comprises of 38 players under head coach Georgia Walker, with the club preparing for its AFLW entry in 2028. Recruiters have plucked prospects from far and wide, but remain true to the state with the bulk of the squad (32/38) comprised of local talent and returning natives.

Several factors helped shape the build. The primary focus was to fill the team with plenty of local talent, and bring Tasmanians back to their roots. Given the geographical landscape of the Apple Isle, recruiting or adding players wit local roots made the most sense. The Devils also wanted to remain competitive at state league level, anhd were able to recruit seven former AFLW players.

The Devils announced they would provide two players with a ‘golden ticket’ into the AFL Women’s, with a couple of state league prospects being chosen to represent the state and club at the elite level when the team enters the competition in 2028. It means players have two years to show their wares in the competition ahead of the historic day.

The opening round 2026 VFLW season will be played the weekend of May 16-17. Before they take the field for what will be a historic fixture, we break down what makes up the inaugural Tasmania Devils VFLW squad across several categories.

>> FULL SQUAD: The inaugural Tasmania Devils VFLW team

EX-AFLW (7):

Georgia Clark, Gabbi Featherston, Meghan Gaffney, Libby Haines, Perri King, Ella Maurer, Sarah Skinner

Almost all (six of seven) of Tasmania’s ex-AFLW listed players are natives of the state. The headline signing is inaugural VFLW recruit Sarah Skinner, who brings the most AFLW experience after stints with Sydney and Western Bulldogs. The versatile midfielder/forward captained Tasmania in the 2025 State Senior Academy series and was the club’s first VFLW signing.

Former Collingwood key forward Georgia Clark returns home after playing nine games in the black and white. The Glenorchy product earned the nickname ‘G Clunk’ at the Pies for her strong contested marking, with her aerial ability and presence making her a key target inside 50.

Pick nine selection Gabbi Featherston arrives from Geelong after 22 games across four seasons. The Geelong Falcons graduate is known for her incredible vertical leap and versatility, having played forward, back and even pinch-hit in the ruck during her time at the Cats.

North Launceston product Ella Maurer has played 23 games across five seasons with North Melbourne and Gold Coast. The inside midfielder possesses strength and power through the contest and averaged 13.1 disposals in her final season at the Suns before being delisted.

Speedy winger Meghan Gaffney returns home from GWS after a career plagued by injuries. The Ulverstone product played 16 games for the Giants but suffered two ACL ruptures during her time in orange and charcoal, the second in her final game of 2024. Her elite running power and speed made her a valuable asset when fit.

Former North Melbourne pair Perri King and Libby Haines round out the ex-AFLW contingent. King was the number one ranked tackler in the NAB League during her draft year and won the Devils best and fairest award in 2021, while defender Haines – a twin sister of former Roo Chloe – brings elite speed and a strong defensive game.

INTERSTATE COUPS (5):

Matilda Elbourne (Giants Academy/Allies), Alicia Gordon (Southport/Suns Academy/Queensland), Ellie Hall (Murray Bushrangers/Giants Academy/Allies), Emma Suckling (Southport/Murray Bushrangers/Allies), Brooke Tuszynski (Caulfield Grammarians)

A quartet of highly credentialed interstate draft prospects headline Tasmania’s interstate signings. Ellie Hall arrives via the Murray Bushrangers and Giants Academy system after putting together two outstanding Coates Talent League Girls campaigns. The over-age prospect averaged 28.5 disposals, 4.7 marks and 8.1 tackles, with her elite endurance and clean ball use making her one of the most prolific ball-winners in the competition.

Alicia Gordon makes the move from the Gold Coast Suns Academy and Southport in the QAFLW. The Queensland representative adds further depth to Tasmania’s midfield stocks and will be eager to prove herself at VFLW level after being overlooked in recent drafts.

Matilda Elbourne arrives from the Giants Academy and Allies system, bringing her talents south from New South Wales. All three have represented their states at national level and now forge a new path in a different state. The Devils have done well to lure these talented youngsters to the Apple Isle, providing them with a genuine pathway to the AFLW.

Emma Suckling has come from the NSW/ACT pathway too, hailing from the Murray Bushrangers – similar to Hall – and representing the Allies in a couple of games. The cousin of former Hawks and Dog superboot Matt, Suckling is formerly from the AFL Canberra competition, but has most recently been a key part of Southport’s lineup in the QAFLW.

The fifth interstate player to head to the Devils is Brooke Tuszynski who comes out of the Caulfield Grammarians. She slammed home 37 goals from 17 games at Reserves level last season, also kicking a goal in each of her two senior matches.

TALENT LEAGUE GRADUATES (16):

2025: Lucah Conkie, Taia Lette, Ava Read

2024 and earlier: Mackenzie Banks, Candice Belbin, Jemma Blair, Angelica Clark, Maisie Edwards, Courtney Hingston, Kelsie Hill, Madi Lamb, Bellah Parker, Joey Revell, Emilie Saward, Grace White, Halle Whitehead

A host of local prospects will continue to represent Tasmania under the Devils moniker, fresh out of the Talent League or having progressed through the system in recent years. Most recently, half-back Lucah Conkie has been one of the Devils’ most consistent performers across her Coates Talent League Girls career. The explosive half-back averaged 13.4 disposals and 5.3 tackles in a solid 2025 season.

Over-age tall Ava Read showed she can play in defence and then swing forward without any adapting needed. She earned a State Draft Combine invite last year – and National Draft Combine invite the year before. In 2025, she averaged 16.2 disposals, 4.0 marks, 3.4 tackles, 4.8 rebounds 50s and still kicked eight goals from her 12 games. In her bottom and top-age seasons, Read slotted 46 majors across 27 games. Her versatility will be a key asset at VFLW level.

Athletic ruck Taia Lette is another exciting prospect. The Scottsdale product starred at Tasmania’s most recent preseason testing, achieving top five results in four of six events including unbeaten scores in the standing and running vertical jumps and 20m sprint. Her family connection to the state runs deep, with great-uncle Ken Lette a member of the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame.

Candice Belbin is one of the more experienced Talent League graduates. The Ulverstone product averaged 10.5 disposals, 1.4 marks, 6.0 tackles and 2.6 clearances for the Redlegs in her second SANFLW season, having progressed from the Devils and Allies to the SANFLW, while also playing three games as a top-ager in 2022 with North Melbourne VFLW.

Kelsie Hill was part of the Devils’ inaugural NAB League Girls squad in 2020, playing off half-back, while Jemma Blair served as vice-captain of the 2021 side. Madi Lamb and Courtney Hingston both made their Devils debuts in 2022, with Lamb impressing in the midfield and Hingston featuring among five debutants against Oakleigh Chargers. Hingston also represented the Allies.

Bellah Parker was a standout forward during her Devils career, leading the club’s goalkicking with 15 majors in 2022 to finish second in the NAB League Girls competition. Halle Whitehead and Grace White have also progressed through the system, with White showcasing her aerial ability at preseason testing, finishing top of the running vertical leap rankings alongside Lamb.

STATE STALWARTS (10):

Brieanna Barwick, Georgia Hill, Dearne Krushka, Jacinta Limbrick, Ebony McGinniss, Molly Mitchell, Georgia Nicholas, Georgia Purton, Meg Radford, Jessie Williams

There is a distinct local flavour to Tasmania’s squad, with a host of players who have come through the state’s premier league competitions rather than the Talent League pathway. The likes of Brieanna Barwick and Jacinta Limbrick are among the more experienced local stars who will provide leadership to the younger crop.

Barwick, a Glenorchy product, has represented Tasmania at state level in the Senior Talent Academy series, named on the half-forward flank alongside the likes of Lamb and Haines. Limbrick, from Clarence, has been a consistent performer in the SFL Women’s and was named in the centre for Tasmania’s state representative side.

Georgia Nicholas is a Tasmanian who moved to the VFLW where she played 44 matches for North Melbourne and was known for her explosive speed and pressure, playing a key role in the Roos’ back-to-back flags. Boasting a high volume of experience in the VFLW is Jessie Williams who has played 62 games across the past five seasons for Box Hill and Port Melbourne, including a massive 21-goal season for the Hawks back in 2022 and a dominant midfield effort for the Borough the following season.

Molly Mitchell (Kingborough) has also earned state selection, while the likes of Georgia Hill, Dearne Krushka, Ebony McGinniss, Georgia Purton and Meg Radford round out the state stalwarts contingent.

The state stalwarts will form an important part of the squad, providing a strong local presence that ensures Tasmania’s grassroots football is well represented at VFLW level. Many of these players have come through the local premier league competitions and will be eager to test themselves against the best the VFLW has to offer.

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Devils’ VFLW squad has been carefully constructed to balance experience with youth, local talent with interstate additions, and immediate competitiveness with long-term development. The ‘golden ticket’ initiative provides an unprecedented incentive for players to give their all over the next two seasons.

Head coach Georgia Walker – a former GWS assistant and inaugural Collingwood AFLW player – brings strong AFLW credentials to the role. Her experience at the elite level will be invaluable in preparing players for the eventual AFLW entry in 2028.

With a blend of ex-AFLW experience in Skinner, Clark, Featherston and Maurer, exciting young talent in Conkie, Read and Lette, a strong contingent of Talent League graduates in Belbin, Blair and White, and a loyal local core, Tasmania is well-positioned to be competitive in their inaugural VFLW season while also developing the next generation of Tasmanian AFLW stars.