The Carlton Blues have bolstered their VFL list for 2026, adding three former AFL-listed talents to the reserves for the upcoming season.
Recently axed Bombers father-son Alwyn Davey Jr headlines the trio, with delisted Giant Wade Derksen and former Swan Jaiden Magor rounding out the signings.
Davey Jr played 20 games for the Bombers, including marquee contests Anzac Day and Dreamtime at the 'G, but failed to make a senior appearance in 2025 for Brad Scott's side.
Derksen sought a move away from the Giants during the 2024 trade period in the hopes of receiving greater senior opportunities, though GWS did not grant his wish. He looked set on joining Melbourne in the 2025 off-season until the Demons pulled their interest in the 24-year-old late, leaving Derksen without an AFL debut.
However, Derksen has starred at the VFL level in a variety of roles, collecting at least 20 disposals seven times and averaging 9.5 marks per game in 2025 for the Giants' reserve side. Arguably his best game came against Gold Coast in Round 13, where he won 14 marks and had 24 disposals.
Jaiden Magor was recruited to the Swans ahead of the 2023 season via the 2022 Rookie Draft, but also failed to debut for the club, playing 36 games at VFL. He returned to his home state South Australia to play SANFL footy in 2025, averaging 18.4 disposals per game for South Adelaide.
“We're delighted to welcome Alwyn, Wade and Jaiden to IKON Park for 2026,” Carlton's VFL senior coach Damian Truslove said.
“We're really optimistic about the way our list is shaping up for next season. We think all three boys fit the bill of some key experience in elite programs as well as the skillsets they both possess, to go with Darcy Tucker committing to our program.
“Alwyn and Jaiden are still just 21 years of age and at 24, Wade provides us some with really valuable experience at both ends. We think there's plenty of room for development for all three boys, and we're thrilled that they saw our program as the right fit for them.
“Alwyn's played 20 games at AFL level and shown some really exciting things, doing so in a number of roles. The same can be said for Jaiden, who has a lot of VFL experience with Sydney while having some strong form for South Adelaide in the SANFL in the first half of 2025.
“Then there's Wade, who has been a really damaging player at both ends of the ground in the VFL competition and has continued to add strings to his bow.
“To have Alwyn, Wade and Jaiden arrive at IKON Park with our VFL program, to go with a raft of re-signings when it comes to a core group of our VFL talent, it's a great start as we begin to generate some momentum for next season.”
