The club has finalised their list for the 2026 Toyota AFL season, signing former Essendon defender Jayden Laverde as a Rookie.

The 29-year-old joins the GIANTS after 10 seasons and 145 games with the Bombers, bringing with him valuable experience and a hardened defensive edge.

Known for his competitiveness and ability to lock down dangerous forwards, Laverde will add depth and maturity to an already formidable GIANTS backline.

GIANTS Executive General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, said the club was thrilled to finalise their list with Laverde.

“Jayden is a proven defender with real physicality and resilience, and we believe he will slot in seamlessly into the way we want to play,” McCartney said.

“He’s taken on some of the toughest match-ups in the competition throughout his career, and he consistently competes to the final siren. That’s exactly the type of attitude and standard we want in our program.”