Nightcliff Tigers junior Wade Derksen joins GWS Giants in mid-season draft

A Nightcliff Tigers player has become the latest Territorian to make the AFL.

NIGHTCLIFF Tigers’ junior Wade Derksen is the latest Territorian to make the AFL after being picked up by GWS Giants in the mid-season draft.

The young ruck has propelled himself into the AFL after playing across the country including stints with VFL side Essendon, Sunbury in the Ballarat Football League and more recently WAFL side Peel Thunder.

The 20-year-old also made a return to his junior club in the NTFL early in the 2021-22 season after several Covid and injury impacted seasons in Melbourne.

And he quickly impressed with his skill and size winning a Round 2 Rising Star nomination.

But it was after a few stunning performances in the WAFL including a four goal and 22 disposal game against West Coast, that selectors took notice of him.

Giants picked him up in the Draft as the fifth selection on Wednesday night.

AFLNT talent manager Simon Hargrave said it was fantastic to see another Territorian at the top of the game.

“From his Cazalys NT Thunder Academy Under 16’s program through to his Premier League career with Nightcliff, Wade has shown lots of promise and has not been afraid to put in the hard work to get where he is now,” Hargrave said.

“I am really looking forward to watching what Wade will deliver on field for the Giants.”

Giants national recruiting manager Adrian Caruso called Derksen an exciting prospect for the side.

“He has an attractive athletic profile and enormous upside given his lack of exposure,” Caruso said.

“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.”