Draft Watch: Talented Devil's “bittersweet” draft scenario

Jaxon Artemis is fairly confident he’ll be picked up in next week’s Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

The rebounding defender from the Tassie Devils is being tipped by many to have his name called out next Tuesday with several AFL clubs showing interest.

Artemis, a South Fremantle product who can also play on the wing, could possibly be snapped up with Pick 1 by Richmond or Essendon.

As it stands the bottom-placed Tigers hold the first pick in the mid-season draft but that could change depending on the result of Dreamtime against the Bombers on Friday night. The loser will finish the round in 18th, and therefore be handed the first MSD pick.

The Tigers are after more bodies and the Dons opened up a spot on their list by placing Brayden Fiorini (back surgery) on the long-term injury list.

But whatever happens at the MCG, 19-year-old Artemis will be happy knowing he gets to join an AFL club, whoever that may be.

“There might be a little bit of interest in the game tonight from me but whatever happens happens I guess,” Artemis said on SEN WA Breakfast.

Artemis didn’t play last week for the Devils, who have a bye this weekend, so he’s done well to preserve himself for the potential of being picked up early next week.

“I’ve had a bit of an inkling if I’m going to go or not,” he added.

“I’ve got a bit of knowledge on next week, I’m pretty confident that I’ll go, hopefully.”

Asked who he’s siding with tonight: “I don’t mind to be honest, I could not care less.

“Just to get on an AFL list would be unreal. I’m supporting no one tonight. I’ll be at the Freo game so I’ll be supporting them!”

Artemis, who has spoken to four AFL clubs, explained how the move to the Devils came about, initiated by their legendary list boss Derek Hine.

He says the initial dream, or “golden ticket” idea, was to work his way into AFL calculations with the fledgling club ahead of their AFL inception in 2028.

“Derek contacted my manager and just asked if we wanted to have a conversation,” he said.

“I had a phone call with him and he said you don’t have to do anything but we’ll put you on a meeting with Todd Patterson, the list manager from Tassie, and the coach (Jeromey Webberley).

“They sold the club to me and what role I’d be playing, job-wise and housing-wise, they’d all sort that stuff.

“The big reason for the move was the golden ticket opportunity when Tassie come in.”

He’s only been with the Devils for the past six months, but departing fills him with sadness as his chance to become a foundation AFL player in Tassie now appears less likely than it might have been.

Artemis has packed up and moved back to Perth to sort himself for a potential shift to Melbourne. He would rather take the opportunity now and strike while the iron’s hot as opposed to waiting for the Devils to hit the AFL.

“I was saying to all the boys that I’m actually quite sad that I’m getting the chance to go on an AFL list, which no one is ever saying,” he added.

“It’s just the way the club has taken me in and gotten around me, they’ve done so well for me, it genuinely feels like a family.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling but I can’t complain as I’m going on an AFL list potentially.”

He admits that Hine and Patterson urged him to think about staying with Tassie ahead of their 2028 AFL entry, but he couldn’t knock back the chance to gain AFL experience now.

“They did reach out to me and try to persuade me not to nominate,” Artemis said further.

“They did really well. I was genuinely really close to not nominating but I couldn’t not take up 18 months of development in the AFL system.

“If they were in next year I potentially wouldn’t have nominated but that 18 months is pretty crucial I reckon.”

Artemis says Devils captain Robbie Fox has taken him under his wing, and likened him to Sydney Swans star Nick Blakey who is destroying it for the ladder leaders this year.