Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce Tom Bellchambers has agreed to a new two year deal.
The contract extension will see the ruckman remain at the True Value Solar Centre until the completion of the 2017 season.
The 26 year-old said he remains confident in the team’s ability to achieve success in the future.
“I’m really happy to have signed on for a further two seasons,” Bellchambers said.
“The group of guys we have at the Club makes coming to work enjoyable and the strong bond amongst the playing group made my decision very easy in the end.
“Personally I’ve been frustrated missing the back half of the season through injury and as a playing group we know we are a better team than what we’ve shown this season.
“There’s no doubt it’s been a difficult period for the players and the Club but I’m confident in the playing group and our ability to respond next season.”
Senior Caretaker Coach Matthew Egan said Bellchambers is crucial to the Club’s future.
“Tom is obviously crucial to the team’s structure, we know he’s a fierce competitor, he brings a strong physical presence on game-day and he also provides us with another key target up forward,” Egan said.
“Tommy has shown on numerous occasions he has the potential to be one of the most dominant ruckmen in the competition, he just needs some luck with injury in order to build some consistency in his game.”
List and Recruiting Manager Adrian Dodoro is excited about what lies ahead for Bellchambers.
“Tom, at 26 years of age is coming into his peak of his powers as a ruckman and we are extremely confident that his best football is ahead of him,” Dodoro said.
“While his season didn’t pan out the way he would have liked, he’s shown tremendous resilience and determination to get his body right for the 2016 pre-season.
“He’s a very popular player amongst his teammates and he is considered a leader amongst the group. I’m confident we’ll see those qualities shine over the coming seasons.”
Bellchambers has played 79 games and kicked 53 goals since his debut in Round 11, 2008.
The Tasmanian was selected with pick 8 at the 2008 AFL Pre-Season Draft.
