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Club: Peel Thunder
Height: 197cm
Weight: 90kg
DOB: 18/06/01
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Delisted #45 Wade Derksen (Pick 5, 2022 Mid Season Draft)
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Club: Peel Thunder
Height: 197cm
Weight: 90kg
DOB: 18/06/01
- Joined
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Originally from Darwin, Derksen grew up playing for the Nightcliff Tigers, where his father played more than 200 games before making the move to Victoria.
At 197cm, the key position player signed with Peel Thunder this year after an injury interrupted and COVID affected stint in Essendon's VFL program before returning to Nightcliff in the Northern Territory.
The 20-year-old has played only three league games in the WAFL but caught the eyes of recruiters when he kicked four goals from 22 disposals and seven marks against West Coast.
GIANTS National Recruiting Manager Adrian Caruso said: “Wade is an exciting tall prospect who has shone for Peel in the WAFL this year after limited football in the last two years. He has an attractive athletic profile and enormous upside given his lack of exposure. He has developed in the forward-line this year but has also shown glimpses he can play behind the ball as well. Wade has shown a great desire to further his footy as evidenced by his move to the VFL in 2020 and WAFL in 2022 and it’s great that has paid off for him.”
Derksen will join his new teammates when they return to training following their mid-season break on Friday.
At 197cm, the key position player signed with Peel Thunder this year after an injury interrupted and COVID affected stint in Essendon's VFL program before returning to Nightcliff in the Northern Territory.
The 20-year-old has played only three league games in the WAFL but caught the eyes of recruiters when he kicked four goals from 22 disposals and seven marks against West Coast.
GIANTS National Recruiting Manager Adrian Caruso said: “Wade is an exciting tall prospect who has shone for Peel in the WAFL this year after limited football in the last two years. He has an attractive athletic profile and enormous upside given his lack of exposure. He has developed in the forward-line this year but has also shown glimpses he can play behind the ball as well. Wade has shown a great desire to further his footy as evidenced by his move to the VFL in 2020 and WAFL in 2022 and it’s great that has paid off for him.”
Derksen will join his new teammates when they return to training following their mid-season break on Friday.
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The fans are pressing for him to get a senior debut - how about it, AK?
At least we've re-signed him for 2 years:
www.gwsgiants.com.au
Positive momentum continues to build at the GIANTS with young duo Toby McMullin and Wade Derksen committing to the club for a further two years.
Derksen has re-signed until the end of the 2025 season in a show of faith from the club after selecting him with pick five in last year’s AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.
GIANTS General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, said the duo’s new contracts were reward for effort after strong VFL seasons.“It’s great to be able to reward Toby and Wade with two-year contract extensions,” McCartney said. Derksen will continue his unconventional AFL journey for at least two more years after being plucked out of the WAFL by the GIANTS in the middle of last year on the back of an eye-catching 22-disposal, four goal, seven-mark performance for the Peel Thunder. The athletic 197cm key forward, a latecomer to the game after starting off playing rugby, was rewarded with two more years following a number of promising performances for the GIANTS’ VFL side this season.
“I’m stoked and grateful for the opportunity that the GIANTS have given me,” the 22-year-old Northern Territory product said. “I think I’ve been developing and growing and getting the most out of myself, so I’m rapt. You definitely learn a lot being in a professional environment; little, tiny things and habits, everything you learn about your body and wellbeing and then about your fitness, it’s been a rollercoaster, but it’s been awesome.”
At least we've re-signed him for 2 years:
GIANTS Re-sign Emerging Duo
Toby McMullin and Wade Derksen have re-signed with the GIANTS.
Positive momentum continues to build at the GIANTS with young duo Toby McMullin and Wade Derksen committing to the club for a further two years.
Derksen has re-signed until the end of the 2025 season in a show of faith from the club after selecting him with pick five in last year’s AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.
GIANTS General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, said the duo’s new contracts were reward for effort after strong VFL seasons.“It’s great to be able to reward Toby and Wade with two-year contract extensions,” McCartney said. Derksen will continue his unconventional AFL journey for at least two more years after being plucked out of the WAFL by the GIANTS in the middle of last year on the back of an eye-catching 22-disposal, four goal, seven-mark performance for the Peel Thunder. The athletic 197cm key forward, a latecomer to the game after starting off playing rugby, was rewarded with two more years following a number of promising performances for the GIANTS’ VFL side this season.
“I’m stoked and grateful for the opportunity that the GIANTS have given me,” the 22-year-old Northern Territory product said. “I think I’ve been developing and growing and getting the most out of myself, so I’m rapt. You definitely learn a lot being in a professional environment; little, tiny things and habits, everything you learn about your body and wellbeing and then about your fitness, it’s been a rollercoaster, but it’s been awesome.”
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Congratulations to Wade & Deika:
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Delisted without a debut. A bit harshly treated IMHO. Could have been given a game at times when our forward stocks were thin, and then later when we had KPD injuries. Alas he never was given an opportunity.
www.gwsgiants.com.au
The GIANTS have farewelled Wade Derksen, with the key defender not offered a contract for the 2026 AFL season.
The athletic Northern Territory product was selected by the GIANTS with pick five in the 2022 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft. Known for his versatility, strong marking ability and physical presence, Derksen developed into one of the most consistent performers in the club’s VFL side, most recently as an intercepting defender. However, finding his way into the GIANTS’ star-studded senior backline proved to be a significant challenge, with fierce competition for spots making it difficult for him to break into the AFL side.
GIANTS Executive General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, thanked Derksen for the past three years. “This time of year always brings tough decisions, and unfortunately we weren’t able to offer Wade a contract for the 2026 season,” McCartney said. “Since joining us via the Mid-Season Rookie Draft, he approached every opportunity and challenge with professionalism and determination and made a strong impact within our program, particularly at VFL level. Wade and his young family have been much-loved members of our football club over the past three years and we wish them all the best for the future.”
GIANTS Farewell Derksen
The GIANTS have farewelled Wade Derksen, with the key defender not offered a contract for the 2026 AFL season.
The GIANTS have farewelled Wade Derksen, with the key defender not offered a contract for the 2026 AFL season.
The athletic Northern Territory product was selected by the GIANTS with pick five in the 2022 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft. Known for his versatility, strong marking ability and physical presence, Derksen developed into one of the most consistent performers in the club’s VFL side, most recently as an intercepting defender. However, finding his way into the GIANTS’ star-studded senior backline proved to be a significant challenge, with fierce competition for spots making it difficult for him to break into the AFL side.
GIANTS Executive General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, thanked Derksen for the past three years. “This time of year always brings tough decisions, and unfortunately we weren’t able to offer Wade a contract for the 2026 season,” McCartney said. “Since joining us via the Mid-Season Rookie Draft, he approached every opportunity and challenge with professionalism and determination and made a strong impact within our program, particularly at VFL level. Wade and his young family have been much-loved members of our football club over the past three years and we wish them all the best for the future.”
