AFL announces Tasmania Devils will be new team’s name as playing kit unveiled

The AFL has announced its new team will be called the Tasmania Devils and wear a myrtle green, primrose yellow and rose red guernsey with an image of the island splashed on the front.

The long-awaited announcement in Devonport, which coincided with six live events across the state, was greeted with a spontaneous chant of “Devils” among the crowd.

Former AFL player Matthew Richardson, who unveiled the club’s colours, said they were “a no-brainer” and had been worn by Tasmanian footballers for more than a century.

“We already have over 100 years of history in these colours – all the greats have worn it,” Richardson said. “Now all the young kids who want to play for this club will get to wear these colours as well.”

Tasmanian midfielder Jasmyn Thompson, who announced the club’s name, said it represented “who we are and where we are heading”.

“The nickname for our club has three elements,” Thompson said. “It represents our place, the place we’re so proud to be from, combined with one of our most distinct inhabitants that makes us proud. It is strong and unique to our place.”

The AFL’s official announcement did not address doubts about whether a Tasmanian side would ever take the field.

The club has become mired in Tasmanian political controversy tied to the Liberal government’s commitment to build a new 23,000-seat, roofed stadium on the Hobart waterfront, which formed part of the state’s deal with the AFL.

In a press conference after the official event, the AFL’s chief executive, Andrew Dillon, said the construction of a new stadium was still non-negotiable.

“It was a vital part of the case that was put to the [AFL] commission for the license,” Dillon said. “The club signed off on that.
“Like any stadium development, there’s always twists and turns, but we’re really confident that we’ll be able to work with the government of the day to get it done.”

The first chair of the Tasmanian Football Club, Grant O’Brien, said new members could join the club for $10 as part of a recruitment drive.

“If you wish to see our Tasmanian teams in the AFL and AFLW succeed, then become a part of the Devils army now. That’s our plea. That’s our request.”

The AFL reached an “amicable agreement” with entertainment giant Warner Bros to use a logo that loosely references the Looney Tunes cartoon character Taz the Tasmanian devil. The league had been warned that without this, it may be exposed to a lawsuit.

The unveiling of the name and colours is the culmination of a long campaign that stretches back to the late 1980s to secure a team from Tasmania in the national competition.