AFL Player #15: Jayden Laverde

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent 2025
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 7, Nuggs Bunny

 

[Godzke]

AFL website listed him as injured towards the end, hopefully just a knock (he copped a few of them tonight)

 

[Megabattimus]

AFL website listed him as injured towards the end, hopefully just a knock (he copped a few of them tonight)

Rutten didn't mention anything about him being injured in the post match, so I'm assuming he's okay. He did get his nose wacked by Bailey Williams, so it's possible the injury the AFL website is talking about is that.

 

[eth-dog]

It's like it makes him stronger.

eDPS does he have Urouge's Devil Fruit?

 

[Godzke]

Rutten didn't mention anything about him being injured in the post match, so I'm assuming he's okay. He did get his nose wacked by Bailey Williams, so it's possible the injury the AFL website is talking about is that.

fingers crossed - he probably gets the match up vs Dusty. Can't think of a better option for him.

 

[Ati Tude]

He's taken some knocks over the last month. Amazing he hasn't missed a game given his injury history. Just gotta get through next week and then has the bye to get a break.

 

[Stoka]

What a bloody legend. Couldnt get a run at it. Moves back and all of a sudden makes Alex Rance look ordinary.

 

[Doss]

Best game he has ever played. Unbelievable.

 

[mad_monkey_j]

I always get sucked in year after year on the few games he manages to string together showing his talent, but this move to the backline is inspired. To comeback after having his nose caved in and then those intercept marks in the last... so good.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Got robbed of a contested intercept mark in the goal square where Darling gave the free away. Always think the umpire should reward the player in those cases.

 

[NAB777]

It’s almost like we’ve uncovered Alex ****** Rance! What’s going on?

Has there been an Essendon player in last 40 years who has turned it alike this much after struggling first 5 or so years?!

Roger Merrett would be the biggest turn-around that I have seen, but this guy is close.

 

[Nicholas61]

GUN

 

[Andronicus]

Can we please rest him against geelong.

 

[Howard Moon]

The guy used to get Injured looking at a contest from ten Meters away, now he's getting smashed from pillar to post each week and going in for more.

It's a Christmas miracle

 

[ant555]

I would have traded him 2 years ago. Glad we didn't.

 

[craffles]

The guy used to get Injured looking at a contest from ten Meters away, now he's getting smashed from pillar to post each week and going in for more.

It's a Christmas miracle

Or maybe the penny dropped that his career was almost over and he busted his gut out on his strength and conditioning? He genuinely looks to be a very different physical specimen this year. Either way agree it's a miracle and loving it

 

[Seagrave_Holmes]

Let's be real here, I don't think anyone really saw this move to the backline paying off so well. I thought he was cooked two seasons ago...

But now I'm loving his aggression and combative streak down back and there's no doubt he has showed a lot of heart the last few weeks.

Well done Jayden.

 

[DERO]

BrunoV you were right mate.

 

[MiguelM]

Those 2 clutch marks in the last were almost match winning.

 

[JayJ20]

I saw this on the West Coast board and it summed up his game very well:

Laverde was an absolute perfect match up for him. Covered Darling for Speed, strength, size, athleticism, aerial ability. Just did him straight up cold.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Rock of Gibraltar.

 

[Don Won]

Best game he has ever played. Unbelievable.

That’s getting said a lot lately!

 

[Don Won]

Can we please rest him against geelong.

He played them in the preseason and survived. The curse is broken!

 

[essendon]

Love how he grabs his jumper at the end of the team song.......

 

[Mr Bultitude]

I'd love it to get to the point where the oppo dreads playing on him (and Redman) for the touch up they'll be getting.

 

[BrunoV]

BrunoV you were right mate.

Naah, won't claim I could see this coming, not in defence.

I do think defence has been like a system reset that re-aligned his instincts with his physical ability. Watching Archie play has reminded me quite a bit of 2015 and some big games Laverde played with a similar adult physicality and assured composure.

We could play him forward and I suspect he'd take the game apart and that he'd likely have a similar impact to Stringer in the centre.

He'd be a completely different player now that he's proven to himself that he can dominate the game.

I couldn't believe the number he did on Darling. I can scarcely remember complete ownership of a gun forward by a defender that was on display last night. It wasn't even a favourable matchup. Laverde is a bit more explosive but Darling just as strong but a better endurance athlete. I thought it might have been a bit of a stretch that finally exposed my man.