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Find your Sport Nation frequencyDraft watch: Tasmania's future stars poised to represent the Devils at AFL level
Jaiden Sciberras • April 18th, 2025 3:23 pm
Despite their 0-2 start to the Coates Talent League, the Tasmanian under 18’s side is stockpiled with promise ahead of the Devils’ AFL inauguration.
Led by former Tiger Jeromey Webberley, the Devils have a number of homegrown talents working to represent their home state, with an array of standout young guns that may be destined to suit up for Tasmania at the highest level.
Top of the crop is young key Jasper Hay, who averages nine touches and three marks in a lockdown defensive role.
Webberley believes that Hay’s talent and athleticism could help to develop the young gun into a top prospect across multiple key position roles.
“Jasper Hay, our national academy representative, played really well as a key defender last weekend against Richmond VFL,” Webberley said on SEN’s Future Stars.
“He’s deemed as our potential best prospect. He’s 200cm, he can play as a ruck, he’s got a fantastic vertical leap and endurance running.
“The reality is he’s probably not quite tall enough to hold down a number one ruck mantle at an AFL club, so he’s developing in key position roles, and he’s started as a key defender.
“He’s an exciting proposition. He’s working through his decision-making and execution with ball in hand which he’s made inroads in.”
Lucas Wootton is another of Tasmania’s top prospects, averaging 16 disposals with the versatility to play all over the park, while Jack Miller operates as a constant scoreboard threat, finding over a goal a game from the forward half.
“Lucas Wootton is a small utility, I call him that because I feel like he can play anywhere on the ground,” continued Webberley.
“He had an outstanding under-16 carnival a couple of years ago. He’s elite in traffic, very much like Ryley Sanders, he seems to be able to find space in traffic and then deliver by hand or foot.
“I feel like he’ll develop into more of a running back/smaller defender at AFL level, but he’s got all the tools you need. It’s probably more about consistency of performance with Lucas.
“Jack Miller is a small forward from North Hobart. He had a stress fracture in his back last year from cricket.
“He played in the last three or four games in the Coates League and hit the scoreboard. He’s a very similar mould to Seth Campbell with a huge endurance and speed profile.
“He’s a fantastic finisher, he never misses, he hits the scoreboard all the time. He’s working through the defensive phase of his game. He’s a prospect to look out for.”
Beyond their standout smalls, Avery Thomas and Toby Callow have also offered plenty through their opening two Coates Talent League games.
Standing at 186cm and 187cm respectively, the pair are deployed as mid-sized utilities, providing the ideal profile for a third tall role.
“We’ve got two third tall utilities in Avery Thomas and Toby Callow who both have awesome athletic profile from an endurance, speed, power agility, vert perspective,” the coach said further.
“We’re really excited about what those guys can offer. They can play in a variety of roles as well and can also pinch-hit a bit forward as well.
“We feel like we’ve got some guys who have traits who potentially have their name called out at the end of the year.”
One of their most exciting talents is the club’s captain Rylee McHenry.
Through two games, 17-year-old McHenry leads the side with 22.5 disposals and six tackles per game.
“We’ve got our captain Rylee McHenry. He is a typical Tasmanian player who plays the game in the correct way.
“His contest and defence is outstanding. He had 27 (disposals Round 2 against Calder) so I’m sure with consistency of performance he’ll put himself in the frame as well.
“They’re the main contenders for the end of the year.”
The 0-2 Devils next compete with the Sydney Swans Academy, battling it out in an Anzac Day clash in Blacktown.
Webberley also commented on some of Tassie’s overage players who are in the mix plus plenty of other topics relating to footy in Tassie.
Listen to Future Stars below:
For a snapshot of the standout Tasmania Devil profiles in 2025, read below.
Jasper Hay: Standing at nearly 200cm, Hay provides bags of potential to fill out a key role at either end of the ground. his elite athleticism and endurance running elevate the defender to the top of the Devils’ prospects.
Lucas Wootton: A proper utility, Wootton provides composure and elite evasive work, allowing the 17-year-old to play in a wide range of positions. Slightly lacking in consistency, the versatile small could offer plenty as a running defender at the top level.
Jack Miller: Miller is a small forward with a top-level knack for goals. With a huge tank and pace to burn, the 181cm prospect offers a real threat forward of centre.
Rylee McHenry: Operating as a contested bull, the Devils’ skipper dominates with a team-high 22.5 disposals and six tackles a game. With top defensive ability, McHenry has plenty to offer through the middle of the park.
Others worth noting:
• Avery Thomas – tall utility• Toby Callow – tall utility• Oliver Depaoli-Kubank - midfielder• Max Roney - medium defender
