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Jarrod Brander to revive AFL career with GWS after West Coast Eagles delisting

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Catherine HealeyThe West Australian
Jarrod Brander will sign for GWS when the AFL’s delisted free agency period officially starts on November 3.
Camera IconJarrod Brander will sign for GWS when the AFL’s delisted free agency period officially starts on November 3. Credit: Will Russell/AFL Photos

Delisted Eagle Jarrod Brander is just days away from an official return to the AFL, after selecting his new club for season 2022.

Brander will become a Giant when the AFL’s delisted free agency period officially commences on November 3.

“The Giants can confirm its interest in signing Jarrod Brander once the delisted free agency period opens,” the club said in a statement.

“Brander is a former Giants Academy member and would be returning home after 22 games with the West Coast Eagles.”

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After unsuccessfully trying to lure Rory Lobb from Fremantle to cover the loss of Jeremy Finlayson, GWS then turned their attention to Brander.

He managed just 22 games in four seasons at West Coast, as he failed to lock down a starting role when shifted to the wing.

Given Brander was delisted by the Eagles earlier this month, GWS will now only fork out the former first round draft pick’s new salary as part of the deal.

Brander was part of the GWS Academy from the age of 12 but was ruled ineligible to join the club when the academy zones were scaled back in early 2017.

He was drafted to West Coast just months later.

GWS were one of a number of clubs, including Carlton, Geelong and even cross-town rivals Fremantle, to express interest in Brander.

Jarrod Brander is off to the Giants.
Camera IconJarrod Brander is off to the Giants. Credit: Will Russell/AFL Photos

“We’ve had some conversations around Jarrod and where we’d see his game progressing,” Dockers footy boss Peter Bell revealed on 6PR.

Footy commentator Kane Cornes even called on Adelaide to snare Brander as the perfect replacement for forward Tom Lynch.

“The best player out of the delisted market is Jarrod Brander from the Eagles,” Cornes said last week.

“He’s 22, he’s a first-round draft pick, he’s got versatility... and you can get him for nothing.

“He has been a victim of the Aliir Aliir syndrome, where the coach doesn’t know where to play him.”

Clubs are only permitted to sign delisted free agents from November 3-10, and then again from November 11-15.

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