Former Essendon-listed forward Jaiden Hunter has returned to the WAFL after being delisted by the Bombers, signing with Claremont for the 2025 season.
Hunter endured a luckless 18 months at Tullamarine, having suffered a back fracture last year before his entire 2024 campaign was ruled out due to an ACL injury in January.
The 22-year-old joined the club out of Perth as a Mid-Season Draft addition last year and managed two VFL games in the red and black for a return of five goals before his late-season setback.
The Applecross product would see his time at AFL level come to an end in August as he returned home to Western Australia, with Essendon confirming his delisting shortly after.
The 196cm forward has locked in his next career move since landing back in WA, joining Claremont for next season.
"We are excited to announce Jaiden Hunter has signed with the Tigers, and is joining us at the Home of The Tigers in 2025," a club post in recent days read.
Hunter was a formidable forward for the Demons prior to being recruited to Essendon, kicking 23 goals across a combined six games at the senior and reserves levels.
He'll join a Tigers outfit that amassed a finals finish this year, with Claremont recording 11 wins from their 18 home and away season games before bowing out of the premiership race to eventual premiers Peel Thunder by a point in week two of the WAFL finals series.
Hunter lands at Claremont as the club bids farewell to retiring forward Alex Manuel, who led the side's goalkicking this year with 31 majors from 20 games.
