Tasmania Devils Savour Maiden VFL Victory, Eyeing AFL Dream
The Tasmania Devils are buzzing after securing a thrilling inaugural VFL victory, a pivotal step in their ambitious journey towards an AFL debut in 2028. The team, affectionately known as the ‘Devils’, christened their presence in the Victorian second-tier competition with a hard-fought win at a sold-out North Hobart Oval on Saturday, drawing an impressive crowd of 10,634 passionate supporters. This two-year stint in the VFL is being strategically leveraged by the club’s leadership as a crucial building block for their eventual entry into the elite national league.
Following the jubilant victory, a temporary club song, set to the familiar tune of “Road to Gundagai,” was tentatively unveiled. Head of Football Operations, Aaron Pidgeon, acknowledged the team’s spirited effort despite limited practice time for the new anthem. “You may have noticed we probably might not have had as much time to practise as what we’d like,” Pidgeon remarked. “The guys muddled their way through. We’d like to have a second crack at it next round.” This sentiment underscores the team’s eagerness to refine their celebratory rituals as they gain momentum.
The Devils are set to face Port Melbourne in round two of the VFL this Saturday at the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston, marking their first home game in the state’s north. While the club is optimistic about drawing another significant crowd, Pidgeon noted that ground capacity figures are still being finalised due to ongoing redevelopment works.
Tasmania’s pursuit of an AFL licence has been a long and arduous one, with a previous stint in the VFL between 2001 and 2008, which saw them reach one preliminary final, fuelling their aspirations. Three years after being granted a provisional licence, the dream is visibly taking shape, as evidenced by the overwhelming sea of Devils’ colours – jumpers, shirts, hats, and flags – that transformed North Hobart Oval into a vibrant spectacle.
“It’s a long season, we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves,” Pidgeon cautioned, tempering expectations while celebrating the present success. “I was pleasantly surprised about how we handled the moment. There are some young guys in the team who haven’t experienced anything like that. Some of the more experienced ones suggested that was one of the biggest crowds they had played in front of.” This experience on a packed home ground is invaluable for the development of the team’s younger talent.
The standout performer on the day was West Australian product Jed Hagan, who kicked an impressive four goals to be named best on ground. He was ably supported by other multiple goal-scorers, including the promising young former North Melbourne player, Geordie Payne. Tasmanian junior Nick Williams, who has returned to his home state after developing his game with Queensland side Southport, highlighted the win as proof of the Devils’ VFL competitiveness.
“It was amazing running out. Even going into it, I didn’t expect anything like that,” Williams shared, reflecting on the electric atmosphere. “If you look at the stats they pretty much beat us in everything, but we played a tough Tassie brand of footy.” This “Tassie brand” of tough, resilient football appears to be the cornerstone of their strategy as they navigate the VFL.
While the club is maintaining a dedicated AFL team song in reserve for their national competition debut, Pidgeon indicated that the current VFL tune could potentially remain in contention. This suggests a desire to build a consistent identity and tradition for the Devils, linking their foundational VFL experiences with their future AFL aspirations. The journey ahead is undoubtedly challenging, but the initial victory and the overwhelming community support have provided a powerful launchpad for Tasmania’s AFL dream. The Devils are not just playing football; they are building a legacy, one hard-fought win at a time.
