Hugh McCallum, the first Tasmanian on the Devils’ AFL list, said having his name called out as one of the club’s first players was “a dream come true”.
“It was a bit overwhelming,” he said.
He has known since August when the club visited his home for what was meant to be a second interview, before coach Ken Hinkley knocked on the door.
“It was a pretty special moment,” he said.
“It was nice to know that it’s all going to happen.”
He said keeping the news from his mates at Guilford Young College’s Hobart campus had been “a bit tough”.
McCallum said he still had a bout eight months of recovery left with his knee injury.
“But to play 10 games or one game next year, I don’t really care as long as I get back right, fully fit, ready to go for 2028,” he said.
He said that without the injury he still would have chosen to “put Tassie first” rather than nominate for this year’s draft.
The group of new recruits are made up of Western Australian Axel Walsh and six Victorians.
“I think we all got on terrifically,” McCallum said.
McCallum’s brother Tom was drafted to Port Adelaide and now plays for Norwood in South Australia. McCallum said Tom had been “awesome” and had supported him.
He said his father, who played during an earlier push for a Tasmanian team, was “so proud”.
“Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” McCallum said.
He believed his selection showed young Tasmanians they could be drafted from home.
“Even with an injury, you can still get picked up, that belief. I think it’s so amazing,” he said.
“I’m just so honoured to be the first Tasmanian on the Tasmanian list.”
The rest of the pre-listed players are expected to move to Tasmania in November.
