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The GIANTS added athletic swingman Derksen to their list in the 2022 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft. Plucked out of the WAFL by the GIANTS in the middle of the year on the back of an eye-catching 22-disposal, four-goal, seven-mark performance for the Peel Thunder, Derksen is a latecomer to the game after starting off playing rugby. Standing at 197cm, Derksen was previously part of Essendon’s VFL program before playing with Nightcliff in the Northern Territory. Derksen showed strong form for the GIANTS at VFL level in 2023, finishing as the side’s leading goalkicker for the season with 35 majors from 18 games. Despite his strong form up forward in 2023, Derksen was swung down back in 2024 where he transformed into one of the best intercepting defenders in the VFL as he continues to push for an AFL debut.