Geraldton’s Jed Hagan’s move to Tasmania to join Devils’ VFL squad is all about his goal of reaching the AFL

He’s got one of the best resumes outside of the AFL, and now Geraldton’s Jed Hagan is finally ready to realise his dream of playing at the highest level. With Tasmania just two years away from joining the national competition, the Devils have been hunting the best talent in the country to join their VFL squad ahead of 2026, and at the top of the list was the former Brigades star, luring him away from East Fremantle to the Apple Isle. Having called Shark Park home for several years as a junior and more recently as a key member of the Sharks’ 2025 finals campaign as their leading goal kicker, Hagan said the decision to move was a difficult one. “East Fremantle started my football journey really in Perth. They’ve been extremely helpful and have developed my game over time, and it’s a super hard decision to leave the club, but I’ve always said I’ll always call East Fremantle home,” he said. “I’ll always be super grateful for the people involved in that footy club and the players there as well.” As an underage player, the small forward was recognised with selection in the 2022 Under-18 All-Australian side following a strong performance at the national championships. However, after missing the draft combine because of injury, Hagan was overlooked in the 2022 draft. Now, nearly three years on, despite the initial disappointment, he says he has moved on and is focused on giving himself the best chance to be drafted. “(Missing out on being drafted) is obviously really disappointing not only for me but the family as well . . . but that’s life and that’s the footy world. It’s super brutal, the industry, so you’ve just got to keep fronting up and putting your best foot forward — hopefully the rewards will come one day,” he said. Having spent time at Port Adelaide in the SANFL, finishing third in their best and fairest, before returning to the Sharks in 2024, a large focus has been on how to become a more impactful small forward to help Hagan stand out among the others. Now, with pre-season starting this week, Hagan is preparing for a permanent move to Tasmania in January, already excited for the challenge of Tasmanian winters, but more importantly, to play alongside former AFL players and be a part of history as an inaugural Devil. “It’s cool to see some of the ex-AFL Tasmanians who have headed back — Jye Menzie, Robbie Fox — I’m keen to pick their brains because they’ve got that experience in the AFL system, but also all the new boys, forming a group of young men — I’m pumped for that,” he said. In a club statement, Devils’ VFL coach Jeromey Webberly said he was thrilled with the acquisition. “Jed’s football resume speaks for itself,” he said. “He is a proven performer at both SANFL and WAFL level, and we think his best is ahead of him. Jed has good forward craft and a great work ethic, so we think he will bring plenty to our forward line. “We’re rapt that he has chosen to continue his football journey with us, and we can’t wait to help him pursue his ambition to play at the highest level.”