GWS star forward Jake Stringer spent most of 2025 praying that Essendon would delist defender Jayden Laverde.

Not due to some grudge against his former teammate, but in the hopes that it would allow the Giants to snap him up in the summer.

And that they did, with Laverde joining the club via the supplemental selection period after parting ways with the Bombers.

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Jayden Laverde of the Giants is presented with his jumper by Lachlan Keeffe as Jake Stringer looks on. AFL Photos via Getty Images

The move immediately paid dividends for the Giants. The 29-year-old key defender stepped up in Opening Round to play an important defensive post.

A significantly undermanned GWS looked brilliant on Saturday in their 27-point win over Hawthorn.

They dominated despite missing star key defenders Sam Taylor and Leek Aleer, in part because Laverde was able to fill the void.

He and Stringer spent seven years together at Essendon, and the latter is glad he pushed hard for the Giants to bring him across.

“Yeah I definitely (played a role in bringing him to the Giants),” Stringer told Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.

“I was pushing for him the moment I stepped foot in the door because I knew he was going to be out of contract.

“I just put the early word in and prayed all year that Essendon wouldn’t re-sign him and then when the opportunity came, I’m glad they went after him because as he proved yesterday, in a good system and the way the defenders defended yesterday was outstanding and he was definitely a highlight of them.”

Jayden Laverde of the Giants.  AFL Photos via Getty Images

Laverde isn’t a flashy player by any means, finding 14 disposals and taking seven marks against the Hawks and their tall forward line.

Stringer however had arguably his best game as a Giant, kicking five goals from nine shots at goal.

Of his 14 disposals, nine were shots at goal and a 10th was a goal assist in what was a dominant display, sans some accuracy.

“It was obviously nice to hit the scoreboard, but I definitely didn’t have my kicking boots on mate, I left quite a few out there,” Stringer admitted.

“Hopefully I can tidy that up.”

GWS heads to Victoria to take on the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium in round one, while Hawthorn faces Essendon in a grudge match at the MCG.