TASMANIA Devils are set to unveil their first batch of recruits shortly after the AFL Grand Final, and as first reported by AFL.com.au’s Callum Twomey on Gettable, the list of targets has been all but confirmed. We profile the seven players soon to be announced as the inaugural Devils in Hobart on September 29.

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Griffin Barker (Western Jets/Vic Metro)
Midfielder | 186cm | 13/08/2009

Barker was among Tasmania’s initial, wider list of interest and closed in hard on a contract during the back-end of the year. The Western Jets product is a hard-nosed midfielder in the Matt Rowell mould, able to extract contested ball and barrel his way out of stoppages. He dishes out fend-offs for fun and can take ground on the outside by creating space with his powerful side-step. While he has spent plenty of time on the wing, Barker looks like becoming a nailed-on inside midfield star down the line.

Angus Brown (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Small Forward/Midfielder | 176cm | 27/05/2009

Brown was out of sight, out of mind for some of the year due to a knee injury but certainly impressed when available. The electric small forward is a phenomenal athlete, capable of fooling opponents with his slick lateral movement or jumping on their heads. Brown already boasts an exciting highlight reel having mostly played as a high forward at Sandringham. He’s the type who can impact at stoppage on account of his pressure and ground level craft, while also showing traits suited to the wing and midfield.

Nathaniel Jenkins (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
Key Forward | 196cm | 18/08/2009

Jenkins has been a well-known quantity in the Talent League having made his debut last year. He did so despite not representing Vic Metro at Under 16 level, but is a proven goalkicker and phenomenal athlete. At 196cm, Jenkins possesses rare agility and speed across the ground, but also has a decent spring and long reach to impact aerially. A late-season glimpse of his upside in defence may well have gotten him over the line, but he has mostly cut his teeth in attack and even spent time on-ball with Calder. The Devils have looked into their crystal ball with this one, but he could genuinely be anything.

Jake Miller (Western Jets/Vic Metro)
Key Forward | 197cm | 07/05/2009

A player who could turn out to be the best of the lot, Miller has made great developmental strides in 2026. After captaining Vic Metro to last year’s Under 16 title, the mobile key forward has continued to excel at the Talent League, school, and representative levels. He works up the ground as an active marking target equally capable of splitting packs or outworking his opponent. Deeper forward, the left-footer is a threat on the lead and has become a highly reliable goalkicker. You build your list around him.

Baxter Sruk (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)
Midfielder/Forward | 182cm | 18/07/2009

Sruk is arguably the best and most pure midfield prospect in next year’s crop, and is quite mature in a development sense. His compact frame is complimented by clean hands, deceptive agility and poise, and polished skills by hand and foot. What’s more, he can carve up the opposition with his penetration in the attacking phase, showing great work rate and an appetite for the big moments. After an injury interrupted start to the season, he excelled in Eastern Ranges colours and was key to their finals push.

Riley Stratford (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Midfielder/Forward | 188cm | 05/04/2009

One of the many Vic Metro products set for a move south, Stratford shows high upside as a big-bodied midfielder. Standing at 188cm, he has the size and strength to hold his own as an inside extractor or become a marking presence up forward. He tends to fare well in contested situations and daringly drifts into attacking zones to ensure he can hurt the opposition. Stratford performed strongly on the school football scene, as well as in Sandringham’s midfield mix back in the Talent League more recently.

Axel Walsh (East Perth/Western Australia)
Ruck/Key Forward | 202cm | 20/01/2009

If the 2027 draft were held now, Walsh would be the first player selected. The West Australian bigman has set himself apart from others in his age group and recently impressed with a senior WAFL berth, no less amid the cut and thrust of finals. At 202cm, he has extraordinary aerial range and can take marks all around the ground, but is also skilful for his size and acts as a fourth midfielder of sorts. A rare, dominant, and freakish talent who would arguably be a pick one contender if available this year.