Tasmania Devils sign first AFL player for 2028 debut

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 23:50 · Archive

Tasmania have signed midfielder George Stevens, their first current AFL player ahead of the expansion club's 2028 arrival.

Tasmania have signed their first current AFL player ahead of the expansion club's 2028 arrival. Delisted Geelong midfielder George Stevens, 21, will play for the Devils' VFL side in 2027 before committing to join the AFL team once the club launches.

Stevens played just two AFL games in each of the past two years for Geelong but was joint winner of the VFL's JJ Liston Trophy. He averaged 30 disposals a game and kicked 13 goals for the Cats' reserves, who beat the Devils in a qualifying final this year. Stevens joins Tasmania with the backing of Nigel Lappin, a long-time Geelong development coach now a Devils recruit.

Stevens is one of nine recruits on Tasmania's books ahead of 2028. Eight pre-listed teenagers joined him, including local prospect Hugh McCallum, Western Australia's Axel Walsh, and Victorians Jake Miller, Angus Brown, Riley Stratford, Baxter Sruk, Griffin Barker and Nate Jenkins. The group will move to Tasmania next month. Stevens' signing came after Tasmania sacked inaugural VFL captain Robbie Fox following an off-field incident on Tuesday.

How it is being reported

• Tasmania Devils sign George Stevens as first AFL player ahead of 2028 debutKen Hinkley’s Devils have signed the midfielder straight from a rival AFL club.The West Australian · 27 Oct, 23:19
• Tasmania Devils sign George Stevens as first AFL player ahead of 2028 debutKen Hinkley’s Devils have signed the midfielder straight from a rival AFL club.Perth Now · 27 Oct, 23:19

In this story: George Stevens · Tasmania Devils · Ken Hinkley · Geelong · Nigel Lappin · Robbie Fox · Tasmania

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