Tasmania have been dealt a fresh blow after Finn O’Sullivan rejected their blockbuster offer.
It had been a positive week for the Devils following the announcement of Ken Hinkley as their inaugural coach.
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He has big ambitions for the new expansion club but the reality of the challenge they are undertaking might be beginning to set in.
Hinkley is keeping the door open to sign a number of big stars, but O’Sullivan has already rejected their advances, according to Channel 9.
It is claimed Tasmania offered O’Sullivan, who has made just 36 AFL appearances, a $15 million eight-year deal.
But the 20-year-old reportedly showed no interest, and did not even meet with the Devils.
It is a blow for Tasmania who are understood to have offered Richmond star Sam Lalor a similar deal.
The new side appear keen to cast their net wide with Hinkley aiming big.
Tasmania, whose inaugural season will be in 2028, are targeting players who are out of contract at the end of next year, including Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan.
“We both loved being in Tassie together, we had a celebration down there last year,” Hickley told Channel 7.
“Gini and I are tight, there’s no doubt about that.
“Anyone that’s uncontracted is on the radar. Gini, if you can text me that would be great.”
Hinkley made a similar tongue-in-cheek comment when asked about some of the AFL’s biggest stars, including Zak Butters.
Jokingly asked about Zak Butters, Hinkley cheekily said: “No, I haven’t told Zak to wait his decision out a year, but, if you’re listening Zak, maybe put your decision off for a year.”
“We can aim for the top; we can aim for as big as we can,” he added.
“We won’t not try; we’ll go after everything that’s possible, and we’ll make sure we give it a great shot.
“There’ll be knock-backs, there’ll be turn-downs, but there’ll be some ‘yes’s, and that’s what we’ll get.
“But we won’t put any limits on who we’re going after, we’ll just go after the right people … they have to be the right people; not just people.”
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