Every Week The Devils Produce Another Story

Jeremy Darke

Editor

Last updated: Wed 10 Jun 2026 14:04

Jeremy Darke 3 hours ago

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Tasmania Devils are producing new football stories weekly.
Emerging players are stepping up, showcasing statewide talent.
Club is creating a culture of constant opportunity and growth.

Devils keep making headlines. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Every Week The Devils Produce Another Story

For years, Tasmanian football supporters dreamed about what a statewide team could become.

There were conversations about pathways, development programs and opportunities for local players. There were debates about whether Tasmania could sustain a professional football environment and whether the state's talent was being properly recognised.

What few people could have predicted is how quickly the Tasmania Devils would begin creating stories.

Not just wins.

Not just ladder positions.

Stories.

Every week, it seems another player emerges from relative obscurity and gives supporters a new reason to believe the future of Tasmanian football is brighter than ever.

That's what made the Devils' victory over North Melbourne so significant.

It wasn't simply another four points.

It was another reminder that this football club is becoming far more than a team.

It's becoming a platform.

At different stages this season, supporters have found themselves talking about players they barely knew a few months ago.

Daniel Cooney arrived as a promising local product and quickly established himself as one of the club's most exciting young forwards.

Harry Elmer has quietly become one of the competition's most consistent performers.

Oscar Paprotny continues to look increasingly comfortable at VFL level.

And now there is another name generating excitement.

Nelson Beikoff-Smart.

The fan favourite with the flowing blonde hair and unforgettable surname may have already earned cult hero status among sections of the Devils faithful, but against North Melbourne there were signs that the hype might be justified.

His tackling pressure stood out immediately. His ball use was composed. Most importantly, he looked like he belonged.

And that's becoming a familiar theme at the Devils.

Every time there appears to be a setback, another player emerges.

When Jackson Artemis and Max Mapley departed through the AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft, many wondered how Tasmania would replace two of its most important contributors.

A week later, supporters were discussing Cam Ewan's best game in Devils colours.

The former Sydney-listed ruckman stepped into a difficult situation and delivered exactly the type of performance the club needed.

Again, another story.

Again, another player stepping forward.

That ability to continually produce contributors is becoming one of the most encouraging signs of Tasmania's inaugural VFL season.

Good football clubs rely on stars.

Great football programs create opportunities for others to become them.

The Devils are beginning to look more like the latter.

Perhaps the most exciting part is that the list of players waiting for their opportunity continues to grow.

Josh Wolfe remains highly regarded within football circles.

Jack Miller is still working towards consistent opportunities.

Young Tasmanian prospects continue developing through the system.

Every week brings another name.

Every week brings another possibility.

For supporters, that's what makes following this team so enjoyable.

The Devils aren't built around one player.

They're not built around one generation either.

They're creating a football environment where new stories can emerge constantly.

That feels uniquely Tasmanian.

For decades, local football communities have thrived on discovering the next young talent, following local products through the ranks and celebrating success stories that feel connected to home.

The Devils have taken that same feeling and placed it on a statewide stage.

Every weekend supporters aren't simply watching a football game.

They're watching careers develop.

They're watching young footballers earn opportunities.

They're watching players who may one day represent Tasmania at AFL level.

That's why victories like the one over North Melbourne feel bigger than the scoreboard.

Yes, the second-half comeback was impressive.

Yes, the final-quarter explosion thrilled the crowd at North Hobart Oval.

But the lasting memory may not be the margin or the result.

It may be the fact that another handful of players added their names to the growing list of stories emerging from the Devils program.

Because that's what this season is becoming.

A collection of stories.