Wade Derksen Gets AFL Lifeline as Carlton Reshapes 2026 Squad
A second chance at the elite level is now a reality for Wade Derksen and it signals a bold reset inside one of the AFL’s biggest clubs.
The Carlton Football Club has confirmed that Wade Derksen will wear the Navy Blue in 2026, earning a spot through the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period. It is not just a list change. It is a statement about depth, resilience and opportunity.
Derksen, a 24-year-old key position player, arrives after several seasons developing in the VFL system with Greater Western Sydney. He never cracked a senior AFL game at the Giants, but he built a reputation for versatility. He can play forward. He can play back. And at 194 centimetres, he brings aerial strength and physical presence, something Carlton believes can strengthen both ends of the ground.
This move comes after small forward Jesse Motlop was placed on the inactive list following a serious ACL injury. That opened a door and Derksen made sure he walked through it. Reports from inside the club describe a strong pre-season, high professionalism and a willingness to compete in every session. For players outside the established 22, those details matter.
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But Derksen is not alone in this story. Carlton also re-signed Elijah Hollands, another player fighting to rebuild momentum. Together, the dual signings reflect a club adjusting its list strategy ahead of a new campaign under coach Michael Voss. Carlton has made finals pushes in recent years, but consistency and depth have been recurring challenges. Adding hungry players with something to prove can shift internal competition quickly.
For Derksen, this is about unfinished business. After 57 VFL games and recognition as one of the league’s stronger defenders in recent seasons, he now gets the chance many players chase for years. One contract. One opportunity. One jumper number, No.47, that could become symbolic if he grabs this chance.
And this matters beyond just one player. Carlton is one of the AFL’s traditional powerhouses. Every list decision is watched closely by fans and rivals alike. If Derksen can translate VFL dominance into AFL performance, it strengthens Carlton’s spine and adds flexibility during a long season where injuries and form swings are inevitable.
The 2026 season is shaping up as a transitional moment for the Blues. New faces. New roles. And renewed expectations.
Wade Derksen now steps onto the biggest stage of his career. The question is simple, can he turn opportunity into impact?
Stay with us for continuing coverage of AFL list moves and the evolving road to the 2026 season.
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