Tasmania Devils are bracing for the likely departure of defender Jaxon Artemis, who is being tipped to be the number one pick in the AFL mid-season draft later this month.
Artemis moved from Western Australia to join the Devils after playing a key role in South Fremantle’s WAFL premiership last year.
Richmond, who have rights to the first pick, are reportedly keen on the 20-year-old.
Devils forward Hugh Dixon said the club was fully behind Artemis but ready to adjust if he was to be picked up.
“He caught a bit of flak the other night at training after that post came out about him potentially going to pick one, which is really exciting for Jacko,” Dixon said.
“He’s a terrific young man and a really good footballer.”
Dixon said Artemis had shown serious commitment by funding his own travel from WA to play for the Devils.
“He’s put a massive effort in flying himself over from WA to come and play, particularly coming off the back of a grand final with South Fremantle last year,” he said.
Dixon was confident the Devils had options to fill the gap if Artemis left.
“I feel like we’ve got some good depth across half-back and we’ve got some young players ready to roll in the wing,” he said.
“Once again, the whole club’s completely behind him,” Dixon said.
“The playing group’s completely supportive of him, we’re just really happy for him.”
Dixon said he had been giving his coach some tips about coming up against his old club, Southport, this Saturday at North Hobart Oval.
“I’ve been in Jez’s (Jeromey Webberley) ear all week telling them some things that I think may work against the old mob but we’ll see on the day,” Dixon said.
“They’ll be coming ready to roll, they’ll see us as a scalp that they can beat, they’d love nothing more than to come down to Tassie and beat us at home in front of our home crowd I know that for sure.”
