Cant for the life of me understand why we didnt snap him up. His highlights show he is a mile in front of Adams, Henderson & Jefferson.

On 23/02/2026 at 18:30, Pates said:

Happy for him, he was destined to be one of those players that would just float around and never get his chance. Glad he's getting it now. The way GWS treated him was a great example of poor people management, there was no reason to keep him around at GWS but I reckon he would've got games for us last season.

20 hours ago, Deez21 said:

Not sure what happened with us and Derksen - however we let him down like Saints did with Leek Aleer.

Glad he's found a home back in Victoria with his family

We didn't let him down, GWS almost cost him an AFL career by not letting him come to us at the end of 24 and then desisted him a year later.

In the short term we probably don't need Derksen, but there is a chance that May, McDonald and Adams are all gone by year end. Lever's best football is well behind him and Petty seems to miss more games than he plays. That leaves only Turner (and Petty) in that bracket of 23 - 29 year old key defenders. It is an area that we need to look at.

On 23/02/2026 at 18:26, dazzledavey36 said:

I am stoked for him.

I was one that was desperate to pick him up as I thought he would have made the transition to senior footy pretty seamlessly having watched him absolutely dominate VFL level.

Watched him against the Lions the other night and he was in their top 5 best players easily playing down back.

He will play senior footy this year and play well.

Yep. When Casey played GWS earlier last year he did just that and gave his MFC listed opponents a real touch up to boot

I’d suggest we’re going to regret this one. He’s miles ahead of Adam’s on current output.

1 hour ago, poita said:

In the short term we probably don't need Derksen, but there is a chance that May, McDonald and Adams are all gone by year end. Lever's best football is well behind him and Petty seems to miss more games than he plays. That leaves only Turner (and Petty) in that bracket of 23 - 29 year old key defenders. It is an area that we need to look at.

That’s why I suggested Jacob Blight.

10 touches and 4 intercepts in the first quarter

Already looks good in this practice match and well ahead of some of our talls. Would’ve been worth a punt for sure. Looks like a rare miss by our recruiters.

5 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

Already looks good in this practice match and well ahead of some of our talls. Would’ve been worth a punt for sure. Looks like a rare miss by our recruiters.

Were they expecting May to find a home? Is that why we seemingly had to pass on Derksen?

10 hours ago, Cranky Franky said:

Cant for the life of me understand why we didnt snap him up. His highlights show he is a mile in front of Adams, Henderson & Jefferson.

🤦

2 hours ago, Roost it far said:

I’d suggest we’re going to regret this one. He’s miles ahead of Adam’s on current output.

Way ahead of Adams.

Unfortunately Adams was contracted so there was no way we could have gotten rid of him.

But boy Derksen looks good.

3 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Way ahead of Adams.

Unfortunately Adams was contracted so there was no way we could have gotten rid of him.

But boy Derksen looks good.

And they have Weitering, Farrell, Dean, McGovern and others.

1 minute ago, Redleg said:

And they have Weitering, Farrell, Dean, McGovern and others.

Farrell is out with an ACL.

Just now, dazzledavey36 said:

Farrell is out with an ACL.

Also Young and Kemp.

Will be disappointed if he becomes a good player for Carlton, as we had him if we made a spot.

Edited February 25Feb 25 by Redleg

2 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Also Young and Kemp.

Kemp has been playing up forward and will stay there.

Right now Derksen is fitting in well playing alongside Young, McGovern and Dean so there is no issues there.

Even with Weitering coming back they are two completely different defenders. There will be a time where they will both play together in thr one side.

I think it’s important to keep in mind Derksen is almost 25, whereas Adams turns 22 in May. Not saying Adams will make it, but will be interesting to see how he’s going at 25 (if he’s still on the list).

On 24/02/2026 at 10:08, Diamond_Jim said:

Interesting that he played the NTFL season.

Surprised that more young delisted players or even VFL players don't take that route in an attempt to show off their wares

hes from up there so quite different to others who have played a season or two for cash in some regards

Actually pleased to hear that the Blues listed him. Strange feeling !!! He wanted to join the Dees and the Giants blocked it. Then when he was “available”, the Dees weren’t seemingly interested anymore. Derksen is a big strong young key position back or can play forward. He has the talent and dominated VFL games last year before getting injured. Hope he goes well. Just not against us!!!

On 24/02/2026 at 18:27, Demons11 said:

So you think we take a bloke and fill a list spot just because we wanted him 12 months ago. Things change there are no guarantees in professional sport.

We never agreed to take Derksen this year but the saints did with Aleer

We did

We pulled out at the end

On 24/02/2026 at 13:16, AshTaafe said:

I think King moved quickly to identify we don't need him on our list with the like for like talent we already have. Just my gut feeling ;-)

Me thinks we wouldn't have if we knew what a basket case May would turn out to be