THE CARLTON Reserves have confirmed three more new signings for the 2026 season.
After announcing the signature of Darcy Tucker to kick off the new year, the Blues have confirmed a triple acquisition of talent that have previously spent time on AFL lists.
The VFL Blues have welcomed Alwyn Davey Junior, Wade Derksen and Jaiden Magor, who spent multiple seasons at Essendon, Sydney and GWS respectively.
Davey Junior has elite level experience for the Bombers, following in the footsteps of his dad - and namesake - Alwyn by playing 20 games in the red and black in the AFL, kicking nine goals.
He had some key experiences in his time with Essendon, debuting in front of nearly 70,000 at the MCG against Hawthorn in Round 1 of 2023, while also featuring in two Anzac Day and Dreamtime at the ‘G games – kicking goals in all five of those contests.
Capable of playing at both ends of the ground, Davey kicked 13 goals from 12 VFL games to start the 2025 season, before having an impact with a move to half-back in the final weeks of the season.
Averaging just shy of 20 disposals in the last six weeks, Davey’s talents allow for new VFL Senior Coach Damian Truslove to cash in on some positional flexibility - which is also the case with Derksen.
At 24 years of age, Derksen signs for the Blues with the capacity to play at both ends of the ground and as a proven commodity at VFL level.
It was in the 2023 season where Derksen led the Giants’ goalkicking with 34 majors, before he was named in the squad for the 2024 VFL Team of the Year as a defensive prospect, averaging eight intercepts per game.
Derksen played 57 VFL games over his three and a half seasons at GWS, earning a growing reputation for his combination of aerial prowess and athleticism. He has a pair of five-goal hauls at VFL level, while the penultimate game of 2025 saw him haul in 14 marks to go with his 24 disposals playing down back.
Of course, Truslove will be well aware of Derksen’s talents, having been his VFL coach at GWS after he was drafted midway through the 2022 season.
That is also the case for Magor, who was coached by Truslove in both 2023 and 2024 after the coach crossed from the Giants to the Swans.
The young South Australian was recruited to Sydney at the end of 2022, spending two seasons on the Swans’ list where he played 36 VFL games across two seasons.
Playing his junior football largely as a forward with SA, Magor spent time with the Swans honing his midfield craft, while he spent a lot of time in 2025 with South Adelaide in the SANFL playing across half-back.
Regarded for his natural ability and IQ, Magor gives the Blues options in all areas of the ground in what will be a new-look side for 2026.
Truslove said the acquisition of the trio were key coups for the Club.
“We’re delighted to welcome Alwyn, Wade and Jaiden to IKON Park for 2026,” Truslove said.
“We’re really optimistic about the way our list is shaping up for next season: we think all three boys fit the bill of some key experience in elite programs as well as the skillsets they both possess, to go with Darcy Tucker committing to our program.
“Alwyn and Jaiden are still just 21 years of age and at 24, Wade provides us some with really valuable experience at both ends. We think there’s plenty of room for development for all three boys, and we’re thrilled that they saw our program as the right fit for them.
“Alwyn’s played 20 games at AFL level and shown some really exciting things, doing so in a number of roles. The same can be said for Jaiden, who has a lot of VFL experience with Sydney while having some strong form for South Adelaide in the SANFL in the first half of 2025.
“Then there’s Wade, who has been a really damaging player at both ends of the ground in the VFL competition and has continued to add strings to his bow.
“To have Alwyn, Wade and Jaiden arrive at IKON Park with our VFL program, to go with a raft of re-signings when it comes to a core group of our VFL talent, it’s a great start as we begin to generate some momentum for next season.”
