Defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has signed a two-year deal to stay in the red and black until at least the end of 2023.

Drafted with pick No.66 in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft, Zerk-Thatcher has featured 17 times for the Bombers since his debut in 2019.

The 22-year-old is an exciting key back who possesses strong marking attributes, athleticism and core strength.

Standing at 195cm and weighing 89kg, Zerk-Thatcher is developing into a reliable one-on-one defender, already holding his own on some of the competition’s best key forwards in Josh Kennedy, Lance Franklin, Charlie Dixon and Tom Hawkins.

Zerk-Thatcher said he was delighted to remain at the NEC Hangar.

“I’m thrilled to be at the club for the next two years,” Zerk-Thatcher said.

“As a key defender, I still have so much development ahead of me. I’ve been given real clarity on what I need to work on to best help me succeed. This off season is going to be a real opportunity for me which I’m really looking forward to. 

“I’ve been blessed with the people I’m surrounded by, in particular, ‘Truck’ (senior coach Ben Rutten) and ‘Gia’ (defence coach Daniel Giansiracusa) who’ve helped my defensive craft. 

“I’m really excited about this team and looking forward to contributing more in the coming seasons.”

General manager of list and recruiting Adrian Dodoro said he was pleased to have Zerk-Thatcher recommit.

“We’re really delighted to have ‘Thatch’ sign on for the next two years,” Dodoro said.

“It’s no secret talls take time to develop and he’s been someone who’s needed that time to fill out his body and get confident in the role.

“We have no doubt ‘Thatch’ will continue to grow in that position and become a really viable defensive option in the future given the attributes he already possesses.

“We can’t wait to see his development over the next couple of years.”

This news is brought to you by Orchard HRO, the club's official recruitment and list management partner.