The Tasmania Devils' chances of luring top-line talent won't be hampered by the delay in their move to a new high performance centre, the club's chairman says.
On Monday the Devils announced Tasmanian company Fairbrother Construction had been locked in to build the $115 million centre at Kingston on Hobart's southern outskirts.
It will be home to the men's and women's programs, which will enter the AFL and AFLW in 2028.
Chairman Grant O'Brien said July 2028 was "on the whiteboard" as the date the club would move into the facility.
The project's timeline was pushed back by the 2025 state election. The Devils will use nearby local club facilities, which they've invested in to improve, until developments are complete.
"It's a major piece of infrastructure and these things take a bit of time because there are a lot of people and stakeholders involved," O'Brien told reporters.
"We’ve been keen to have this finished as quickly as we can.
"(But) we don’t think that is going to be any sort of impact on attracting, retraining (players)."
O'Brien said the 9000 square metre centre, which will also house the club's administration arm, cafe and retail store, would be among the best in the AFL.
A main ground at the site the size of the MCG will be ready for training prior to the club's first pre-season.
The government in May revealed the price for the centre had risen from $70m to $115m - $105m of which is being covered by the state, with the remainder funded by the AFL.
Tasmania will play their first three seasons at existing grounds in Hobart and Launceston, with their showpiece $1.13 billion waterfront stadium slated to be ready by 2031.
Earthworks have begun at the Macquarie Point site in Hobart, with the contract for building the 23,000-seat roofed venue expected to be awarded by the end of 2026.
Construction of the stadium was a condition of the AFL granting Tasmania a licence for inclusion in the AFL and AFLW.
The Devils in July announced former Port Adelaide mentor Ken Hinkley would be the club's inaugural men's coach.
