GIANTS recruit Jayden Laverde says his maiden pre-season in orange and charcoal is all about earning his stripes as he looks to break into the GIANTS’ star-studded backline with a big summer on the track.
Joining the club in the off-season following 11 years with the Bombers, Laverde will add further depth and experience to a stingy defensive unit led by the likes of Sam Taylor, Jack Buckley, Connor Idun, Lachie Whitfield and Lachie Ash.
Speaking a couple of days into his new life as a GIANT after the entire club returned for pre-season training, Laverde’s focus is all about proving his worth to his new teammates.
“I’m definitely wanting to earn my stripes and make sure I show the boys what I’m about and make sure I’m training as hard as a I can and getting the most out of myself,” he said.
“I think the way I play suits the way our defenders want to be known for and I’ll be working hard and following in their footsteps and trying to learn some new things to try to take my game to a new level, which will hopefully have me pushing for a spot.
“I think I’ve got plenty of good footy ahead of me.”
His new defensive unit is one that isn’t shying away from lofty standards in 2026 says the GIANTS newcomer.
“We’ve got ambitions to be the best backline in the comp,” Laverde said.
“And I can see that being out on the track with guys like Sam Taylor and Connor Idun who have been leading from the front.”
After more than a decade in the hustle and bustle of Melbourne, Laverde says he’s settling in nicely to his new home in the Harbour City – largely thanks to the help of former Bombers teammate and new GIANTS teammate Jake Stringer – one of his best mates and a member of his wedding party last year.
“I felt like it was time for me to explore a new option and have a fresh start after being at the Bombers for 11 years, so it fit really well and I’m super excited to be here. The boys have been awesome, and it’s made the move over really smooth.
"Obviously having Jakey [Stringer] here helps. I'm bunking [living] with him at the moment so that’s made the move a lot easier too.
“Obviously he was at the Bombers for a fair while and we were great mates there and he was in my bridal party. My wife and his partner are great friends too so that strengthens that relationship too and yeah we’ve been great friends for a number of years now.”
Laverde was also full of praise for his other new teammates.
“I’ve been super impressed with the way the boys have been training and the intensity from day one.
“I came and trained with the young boys [first to four-year players] last week and the intensity was great.
“I’ve been joking at home a little that it’s the GWS Olympics because the boys can run and there are some super athletes around the place so I’m pretty excited about how much better I can be training with them.”
Laverde and his teammates will continue training for the next two weeks before breaking for Christmas period on December 17.
