Delisted GWS swingman Wade Derksen's move south has been confirmed, with the athletic utility unveiled as Northern Football Netball League outfit Montmorency's headline signing for 2026.
The Victorian local-level club secures the 24-year-old fresh off his three-and-a-half-year stint with the Giants.
During that time, Derksen did not break through for an AFL debut, however was one of the VFL's most prolific key position players, showing his value as a strong-marking option at either end of the field.
Derksen was named in the VFL Team of the Year squad last year off the back of an eye-catching campaign that saw the Peel Thunder product dominate as a defender - averaging 19.5 disposals, 8.0 intercepts and 5.1 spoils per game.
A year prior, Derksen was one of the competition's most lethal forwards, booting 34 goals from 18 games.
The strength of the Giants' senior side limited Derksen's exposure, with the journeyman eventually delisted at the end of the 2025 season.
The former Queanbeyan, Nightcliff and Sunbury player will return to Victoria in 2026, signing with Montmorency in the NFNL.
"Montmorency Football Netball Club is excited to welcome Wade Derksen to the club for the upcoming season," a club post read.
"Wade joins us from GWS, bringing with him elite-level experience, professionalism, and a strong competitive edge. His time in a high-performance AFL environment has shaped him into a disciplined and driven footballer, and we're thrilled to see those qualities come to Montmorency.
"He's already eager to get stuck into preseason and make an impact alongside the group."
It is yet to be confirmed whether Derksen will feature at the state league level next year.
He did return to the Northern Territory Football League in October, reuniting with Nightcliff shortly after his exit at GWS.
Derksen has kicked 19 goals in six games for the Tigers, including a haul of eight against the Tiwi Bombers earlier this month.
