Jayden Laverde’s long stint at Essendon looks to be nearing its end, with the Giants circling the out-of-contract defender ahead of the 2026 season.
The 29-year-old, who joined the Bombers in 2014, was due to meet GWS officials on Thursday.
Nine’s Tom Morris revealed that while the meeting was postponed after “a couple of things came up”, Laverde had taken an early flight back from the Gold Coast, where Essendon suffered a 95-point defeat to the Suns, specifically to catch up with the club.
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Giants searching for defensive cover
Morris reported that Essendon is yet to table a new contract for the experienced stopper, who qualifies as an unrestricted free agent. “He was booked in to catch up [with GWS],” Morris said, adding that the discussion will be rescheduled.
The Giants are believed to be on the lookout for defensive depth, with Leek Aleer strongly linked to St Kilda and fellow key backs Sam Taylor, Jack Buckley and Connor Idun carrying the main load. Veteran Joel Hamling has also been flagged as another potential option.
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Laverde’s connection with Jake Stringer, who left Essendon for GWS last off-season, is seen as another factor in the move.
While nearing the twilight of his career, his ability to slot in as reliable cover would appeal to a finals-bound side wary of repeating the injury woes that struck Essendon’s first-choice defenders Jordan Ridley, Ben McKay and Zach Reid this year.
If a deal is struck, it would end more than a decade of service at Bomberland, marking a significant shift for one of the club’s long-serving figures.