DARWIN, Melbourne, Darwin, Perth, Sydney, Darwin.

Carlton.

When Wade Derksen says he feels like he’s been “everywhere” trying to chase his dream, he really does mean it.

It’s been a road well-travelled for the newest Blue, who learned on Monday that his AFL dream was still alive after being signed as a supplementary selection period player for the upcoming 2026 campaign.

As Michael Voss broke the news about Derksen and fellow SSP signing Elijah Hollands in front of the playing group, the tears were quick to come for Derksen, who had to make quite the punt on himself in recent weeks.

There were no guarantees when Carlton list boss Nick Austin called Derksen, offering a train-on spot with the AFL side. If he accepted, he’d have to move quickly, with training at IKON Park commencing on the Tuesday.

Derksen, who was back in Darwin after starring for Nightcliff in the NTFL, backed himself in.

“Nick Austin gave me a call on the Thursday with an opportunity to train. By Friday, the next day, I was driving down to Melbourne.

“I knew I needed my car to get to and from training, so I decided to drive down. I got here in four days - I’ve been hitting the track as hard as I can to put my best foot forward.

“Sitting here now as a Carlton player, it’s pretty special.”

With no guarantees, Derksen has had to fight for his spot on the list with the added toll of being separated from his young family, with partner Deika and three kids Kaelan, Harlow and Kody remaining in Darwin.

It’s no wonder that when Derksen found out his time in the AFL would continue, the emotion of the situation got to him. As he said in front of his new teammates during the meeting moments after he found out, “it’s all for them”.

“It’s the longest stint I’ve done without them,” Derksen said. “It’s been pretty hard, but hearing the news today, it makes it all worth it.”

Since 2019, Derksen has spent time with Nightcliff, Essendon VFL, Peel Thunder and most notably GWS, where he played 57 games across three-and-a-half years in the VFL but without getting that senior nod.

He’s been able to reunite with Nick Haynes, a former teammate at the Giants, as well as Zac Williams, whose time in Sydney didn’t overlap but has regardless since the two strike up a strong relationship already.

The opportunity to pull on the Navy Blue for the first time in an unofficial practice match against Brisbane was something in itself - but if one thing is for sure with Derksen, it’s that he’ll leave no stone unturned to realise that boyhood dream.

“I had goosebumps. Michael Voss is your coach, you’re surrounded by quality players and the crowd was just a fraction of the amount of people, but it was the biggest crowd I’ve played in front of.

“It was unreal.

“I can’t wait to tell my young fella that I’m a Blues player, because he’ll learn the song and ride the wave with me.”