PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 16: Jarrod Brander of the Eagles in action during the 2020 AFL Round 12 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Hawthorn Hawks at Optus Stadium on August 16, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Recent Giants recruit Jarrod Brander has claimed he holds grudges towards the Eagles after being squeezed out of West Coast's plans for the 2022 season.
After being brought across the Nullarbor with the 13th pick of the 2017 AFL Draft, the Victorian managed 22-games in a royal and gold guernsey throughout his four seasons with the club.
Yet, despite the Eagles parting with an early selection to land Brander's services, and head coach Adam Simpson playing him on 11 occasions last season, the now 23-year-old was delisted at the cessation of the year.
After citing a desire to play predominantly as a forward, the Giants threw the Bendigo Pioneers product a lifeline during the off-season by securing him as a delisted free agent.
Stepping out in the charcoal and orange for the first time in Friday night's pre-season 'Battle of the Bridge', Brander wasted no time repaying the faith, slotting five majors in GWS' 31-point victory.
Speaking in the wake of his sterling first steps with the expansion side, the Mildura-born option claimed he was taken aback by his own performance.
“I definitely didn’t come in expecting to do anything like that,” Brander told News Corp.
“I was able to get in the game early and got a few cheapies at the end, which was nice.”
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While these goals won't be ascribed to Brander in the official record books, the contemporary bag was a match for his entire output in front of the sticks whilst in the West.
And although the quintet of majors proves that the ex-Eagle has plenty to offer within the forward arc in Sydney's West, Brander himself admitted that there was good reason for never breaking through with West Coast.
“There just wasn’t really a spot for me in my natural position,” Brander expressed of his time with the Eagles.
Irrespective of the fact that the 195cm target has begun to pen a new chapter in his footballing journey, Brander still remained complementary of the stint spent with his former club.
“I made some good mates there and had some good experiences – some tough experiences as well – but I think the fresh start was the best thing for me at the end of last year," he continued.
“I don’t have any bad feelings towards West Coast at all. They do everything well but I think for me personally, a fresh start at a good club like the Giants was best for me.”
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Despite his magnanimous view towards the hardships of list management and retention, Brander could well be forgiven for smirking at the Eagles' recent forward-line plights.
With Jack Darling still desperate to avoid inoculation and Oscar Allan battling a foot complaint, one would imagine that had Brander been retained, the delistee would be acting as Josh Kennedy's doubles partner during the early stages of this season.
Brander will be given another opportunity to place his best foot forward when he and the Giants do battle with Collingwood in their sole AAMI Community Series outing next Saturday afternoon.
GWS and West Coast are currently scheduled to face off in the Harbour City during Round 10.
The date and start time for this intriguing clash are still yet to be confirmed by the AFL's fixturing boss, Travis Auld.