Tasmania’s AFL team name officially confirmed as Devils ahead of planned 2028 entry
Tasmania will tap into its heritage for the image of its new AFL team, which will be known as the Devils and wear the state’s traditional colours of myrtle green, primrose yellow and rose red.
It comes as the league and American entertainment giant Warner Bros Discovery reached an ‘amicable agreement’ on the use of the Devils moniker that bears similarity to the long-standing Tasmanian Devil cartoon character.
The club’s name, colours and emblem were revealed in Devonport on Monday, with Tasmanian great Matthew Richardson on hand to help make the announcement in front of delighted locals.
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The logo features a side-on image snarling Tassie Devil with its mouth open and teeth visible, while the jumpers will include the map of Tasmania bearing a ‘T’ that have been similar to State of Origin jumpers of years past.
The AFL granted the licence for the club in May last year, with the intention to join the competition as its 19th team in 2028.
The club had to negotiate for the right to tap into the long-touted Devils name, with Warner Bros Discovery holding the copyright to the character first featured in 1954.
“Warner Bros Discovery and the AFL have come to an amicable agreement and look forward to seeing footy fans across Tasmania support the AFL’s newest football club, the Tasmania Devils. The ‘Devils’ will no doubt be a club that unites the state and showcases the best of Tasmania,” a joint statement said.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon lauded the announcement as a “truly historic day” for the state.
“Tasmania has waited to have its own team competing in the national competition for a long time and the passion and excitement shown by so many Tasmanians who gathered to celebrate this major milestone shows how much the Devils will mean to the state,” Dillon said.
“Tasmanian boys, girls, men and women who dream of playing AFL and AFLW football can now aspire to play for the Devils on the national stage in the state’s iconic jumper and colours.
“To watch the Devils run out for their first games in the AFL and AFLW competitions wearing the famous map on a jumper that represents the long, rich history of famous victories and players produced by the heartland football state, will be a moment of immense pride for so many.”
An AFL licence condition is the construction of a $715 million 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Hobart’s Macquarie Point, which is proving a divisive state election issue.
The state Liberals, who are aiming for a fourth term at Saturday’s poll, support the project but have pledged to cap their spend at $375 million.
Labor leader Rebecca White describes the stadium as not the right priority, indicating she wants to see a team prove itself at existing grounds initially.
Dillon said the stadium, which is part of the licence contract and must still be voted through parliament for approval, is not negotiable.
The federal Labor government is contributing $240 million and the AFL $15 million, with private investment slated to cover any cost overruns.
The club has released $10 foundation memberships and is expected to start selling merchandise in coming months.
Tasmania has produced a host of elite Aussie Rules players including Australian Football Hall of Fame legends Darrel Baldock, Ian Stewart, Royce Hart and Peter Hudson.
The club’s board includes Burnie-born three-time premiership winner Alastair Lynch, while Richmond great and Hobart-born Jack Riewoldt has been involved in community tours.
- with AAP
