Essendon Football Club is pleased to advise Tom Cutler has put pen to paper on a new one-year deal.

The contract extension will see the 26-year-old remain in the red and black until at least the end of 2022.

Having arguably reinvented himself in a new role across half-back in the second half of the Bombers’ season, Cutler managed 13 games in 2021.

Cutler arrived at the NEC Hangar at the end of 2019 via a trade with Brisbane which saw Essendon swap pick No.72 and a future third-round selection to secure Cutler’s services and pick No.64.

Cutler, who has played 87 senior games, said he was thrilled to remain a Bomber.

“It is a privilege to play for the Essendon Football Club and I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue that next season,” Cutler said.

“I really enjoyed playing a different role in defence in the second half of the season and I’m looking forward to getting to work with my teammates and coaches this upcoming pre-season.

“The improvements we’ve made on and off the field, in such a short space of time are encouraging. We are establishing a quality foundation and I’m excited to see what the future holds for our group.”

General manager of list and recruiting Adrian Dodoro said it was an appropriate reward for Cutler’s season.

“We are really pleased to offer Tom a contract extension after the season he put together,” Dodoro said.

“He embraced a new position down back this season and we look forward to seeing him build on this form into the upcoming 2022 pre-season campaign.”

Cutler’s re-signing follows those of Tom Hird, Cian McBride, Andrew Phillips, Matt Guelfi, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Kaine Baldwin, Jake Stringer, Darcy Parish and Zach Merrett, alongside Devon Smith, Will Snelling, Mason Redman, Harrison Jones, Brayden Ham, Nick Bryan and Alec Waterman this season.

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