Australian football’s newest mascot Rum’un has made his mainland AFL debut at Adelaide’s Gather Round, drawing excited crowds and merchandise sales as anticipation builds for the Tasmania Devils’ 2028 entry into the league.
Devils’ Chief Marketing Officer Kath McCann said the response from AFL fans in Adelaide towards the Devils had been overwhelmingly positive during the team’s pop-up activation near the Footy Festival on Thursday.
“Everyone’s walking by, there’s lots of cheering, lots of engagement, lots of purchasing of merchandise and membership,” McCann told Pulse.
“Many of the fans are asking us not to steal their players.”
Rum’un made the journey across the Bass Strait last Thursday night, first stopping at Frankston to watch Tasmania’s VFL team secure a Good Friday victory before travelling the Great Ocean Road to Adelaide for the AFL.
The Devils mascot has been busy engaging with fans across the city, appearing in the Rundle Mall and visiting SEN’s radio studio.
“This is Rum’un’s first overseas trip,” McCann said.
“People are pretty excited to see Rum’un, that’s for sure.”
McCann said Rum’un had been up to his usual antics to entertain the Adelaide fans.
“A little bit of, you know, trying to eat heads off”
“But most importantly, just repping the Tasmanian brand and getting people excited about what’s to come.”
Several Tasmanian players are arriving for Saturday’s VFL versus SANFL State of Origin match, while club officials including chair Grant O’Brien are using the event for industry networking.
The Devils hosted a members’ function on Thursday night that brought together Tasmanian supporters in Adelaide for what McCann described as “a good celebration of our footy club and the journey we’re on.”
