Patterson said the club was going through the process of signing off on the list strategy and had already met players from across the competition to determine their needs.

They are keeping all options open, with the question likely to be asked of top-tier players such as Collingwood’s Nick Daicos (contracted until 2029) and Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell (2027).

Other players out of contract at the end of 2027 include E.J. Whitten medallist Lachie Ash, Ollie Henry, Beau McCreery, Tom McCartin and Logan Morris.

Patterson made a key presentation to 30 of the game’s top player managers as the Devils showcased their plans for the new club and stadium.

They highlighted the suburbs players potentially could live in near the new training and administration centre to be built in Kingborough, less than 15 minutes from the centre of Hobart, and sold the lifestyle. The club is hopeful they could reach agreement with AFL players at the end of this season to join the club in 2028.

Patterson is also bullish about the pool of 17-year-olds the club is inviting to pre-list and train next year, as well as the available mechanisms the Devils have to gather enough talent on their list to be competitive.

Devils CEO Brendon Gale said the club would like to have settled on a senior coach by the end of this season after appointing a football manager, although that coach would not necessarily have to begin full-time in the job until early 2027.

Managers believe it will be important to some players considering a move to Tasmania to know who their senior coach will be.

Gale said there was no compulsion to recruit players from Tasmania, although he admitted if there were players from the Apple Isle who wanted to join the club, were a good fit and came at the right price, they would come under strong consideration.

“We want good players, but you want players who want to be here. You want players who are going to embrace us,” Gale said.

Peter Ryan travelled to Tasmania with the support of the Tasmania Devils.