Devonport AFL/VFL Players
Grant Birchall (14/08/1985)
Club(s) : Hawthorn
DEBUT: Round 1 – 2006 versus Fremantle (Aurora Stadium)
What a wonderful story “Birch” is! After playing 26 Senior Games with the Devonport Football Club and representing Tasmania at the Mariners level and National Championships. Grant was drafted pick no. 14 to Hawthorn in the 2005 draft.
In season 2005 Grant was chosen as an All-Australian at Under 18 level after winning the medal for the best u/18 player in division two – the “Harrison Medal”.
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After making his Senior debut in round 1 of the 2006 season, Grant was chosen as an AFL Rising Star Nominee in round 14. At the end of his 1st season with Hawthorn Grant finished 10th in the club Best and Fairest and won their Best 1st Year Player Award.
Grant continues to shine at this level and we are extremely proud of his achievements.
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Brady Rawlings (16/06/1981)
Club(s) : Kangaroos (North Melbourne F.C)
Was originally a member of Devonport’s Under 18 Statewide Premiership team in 1996. In season 1997 Brady made his debut with Devonport playing a handful of games and representing Tasmania at carnival level where he won the “Harrison” Medal for the best player in the division 2 Under 16 National Championships.
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Brady was drafted in 1998 as pick number 15 and hasn’t looked back. In seasons 2004 and 2006 Brady won the Kangaroos Best and Fairest award as well as representing Australia in the International Rules series versus Ireland in 2004.
In season 2007 Brady reached a great milestone playing his 150th Senior game against Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium
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Jade Rawlings (09/10/1977)
Club(s) : Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs, Kangaroos (North Melb)
The AFL talent scouts spotted Jade after just one (1) senior appearance for the Devonport Football Club in season 1994.
Jade went onto play 116 games for the Hawthorn Football Club and kicked 62 goals before crossing over the other side of town to the Western Bulldogs in 2004 where he played 29 games and kicked 32 goals. In 2006 Jade seized an opportunity by moving to the Kangaroos and playing football with his younger brother Brady.
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To the Kangaroos credit their final home and away roster game was played in Tasmania at Aurora Stadium against Hawthorn and Jade was selected for his “farewell game”.
In recent times Jade has moved into the coaching ranks having been appointed Assistant Coach at Richmond in late 2006 and this coming season will coach the Coburg Tigers (Affiliates with Richmond AFL) in the VFL. |
Matthew Richardson (19/03/1975)
Club(s) : Richmond
Was drafted under the Father/Son rule in 1992 to the Richmond Football Club. “Richo” made his debut in season 2003 and was chosen as an AFL Rising Star Nominee in round 10 of that season.
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Matthew has twice been chosen as an All-Australian in 1996 and 1999 and has played 3 State Of Origin games. “Richo” in recent times has been chosen on the interchange bench in the Tasmanian Team of The Century and on the Half Forward Flank in Richmond’s Team of The Century.
In season 2007 Matthew reached (3) wonderful milestones –
Reaching his 250th Senior Game with the Richmond Football Club and became the greatest goal-kicker at VFL / AFL level for any Tasmanian after breaking Peter Hudson’s long standing record. Last but not least "Richo" broke through to win his 1st ever Jack Dyer Medal for the Best and Fairest Player at the Richmond Football Club in 2007.
Which is a wonderful honour and achievement. |
Ben Harrison (17/01/1975)
Club(s) : Carlton, Richmond, Western Bulldogs
Was draft pick number 103 from Devonport to Carlton in 1992. After spending 3 seasons at Princess Park and playing 2 games in the ’95 season, Ben was traded to Richmond where he played 74 games, kicking 34 goals between 1996 and 2000.
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At the end of the 2000 season “Harro” was traded again this time to the Western Bulldogs where he played 82 games and kicked 32 goals before retiring at the end of the 2005 season. |
Dion Scott (01/04/1970)
Club(s) : Sydney Swans, Brisbane Bears / Lions
Dion’s ability came to notice after a solid debut season with Devonport in 1988, particularly with a great performance in the Blues ‘88 Statewide Grand Final Premiership where he kicked 2 goals, had 14 possessions and took 6 marks in ordinary conditions.
After talking with 7 AFL / VFL Clubs, Sydney claimed Dion with draft pick number 8. |
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After 3 seasons in the harbour city and playing only 6 games, Dion was traded in the ’92 trade draft to Brisbane where he established himself as a regular between 1993 and 1999 playing 73 games and kicking 61 goals.
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Matthew Febey (19/08/1969)
Club(s) : Melbourne
Matthew was drafted in 1986 from Devonport to Melbourne with pick number 16. After struggling initially and being re-drafted twice “Mouse” found his feet and started to establish himself at AFL level. Between seasons 1992 and 2000 – Matthew played 143 games and kicked 40 goals. |
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Steven Febey (19/08/1969)
Club(s) : Melbourne
Was chosen as pick number 3 in the 1986 draft. Steven played a remarkable 258 games for his beloved Demons (4th overall in the history of the Melbourne Football Club) which included 17 finals appearances.
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“Febes” is the only Melbourne player who played in their 1988 and 2000 Grand Finals.
In a wonderful career Steve represented Tasmania, Victoria and the Allies in State of Origin games, was never reported in his AFL career and played in Melbourne’s pre-season Premiership side of 1989. |
OTHER AFL / VFL PLAYERS TO HAVE PLAYED AT THE DEVONPORT FOOTBALL CLUB
Andy Goodwin (Richmond / Melbourne) |
Player & Coach |
Wayne Weidemann (Adelaide Crows |
Player |
Joshua Mail (Adelaide Crows) |
Player |
Peter Knights (Hawthorn / Brisbane Bears) |
Non-playing Senior Coach |
Bob Jones (St. Kilda) |
Player |
Andrew Johnston (Fitzroy) |
Player |
David Code (Melbourne)*** |
Player |
Phil Manassa (Collingwood)*** |
Player |
Mark Williams (Footscray)*** |
Player & Coach |
Peter McKenna (Collingwood / Carlton) |
Player |
Lance Cox (Richmond) |
Player |
Garry Davidson (Geelong / Richmond) |
Player |
Justin Stubbs (Essendon) |
Player |
*** Devonport Premiership Player |
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Our Club's History