The new digs suit Brayden Fiorini already. 

Flying down to Melbourne on Monday, the 28-year-old and his young family were welcomed for a day at the NEC Hangar, allowing the former SUN to get properly acclimatised to the surroundings as he starts a new chapter in his career. 

After 10 years and 123 games interstate, the Victorian-born winger is keen to be back on home deck and a part of the Bombers’ build into 2026.

Read and watch Fiorini’s first full chat with essendonfc.com.au below.

Fiorini on… a big couple of weeks

Yeah, it's been great. Obviously, it all happened last week, and I’m just truly grateful for the opportunity. I can't wait to get started.

It has been a big couple of weeks, probably from the get-go, I felt really valued at the club. 

Starting with the list manager Matty Rosa, and then meeting the coach Brad Scott, and then all the players as well, they’ve made me feel really valued here.

Fiorini on… familiar faces

(Those pre-existing relationships) definitely helped with the initial conversations in getting to learn the club and as I said before, making me feel really welcomed and valued.

We've got a good relationship there, myself and Matty (Rosa), and then Pete Wright as well, and a couple of other boys that I've played with in the past and can't wait to play alongside them again.

Fiorini on… it being ‘the right time’ for a move

Obviously, I’ve lived up on the Gold Coast for the past decade, and I’m grateful for the opportunity that I had up there, you know, moving up when I was 18 and having to mature a little bit, but I've loved every moment of it up there. 

Starting a new chapter down here, back where I grew up in Victoria, me and my family can't wait for the future.

(My young son) Will loves it. He's already jumped ship over to the red and black, as he’s said, and he's singing the Bombers theme song every day, so that's on repeat at the moment. 

He loves his footy and it's very special to have him in the rooms after a game, or always cheering me on, win lose or draw.

Fiorini on… the wing role

In terms of my role, there was real clarity there from the get-go, meeting Brad (Scott). So it'll be out on that wing for the majority and I can't wait to bring my strengths to the group.

I’m really excited to be playing alongside some other wingers at the club. Xavier (Duursma) played there this year and had a really good year, and he's reached out to me and been really good through this process as well. 

Fiorini on… turning our fortunes around next year 

I’m really confident to turn around what was obviously a little bit of a disappointing year on the injury front, and you don't wish that upon any team.

Moving forward, the Club has shown a clear vision from the top down, even Andrew Welsh with his vision and the path with the club.

(With) the high performance department, I've met with Mat Inness and his crew, and feel really confident that we're in good hands there and we can have a really good season next year. 

Fiorini on… the fans

Definitely coming to a big club was part of the decision making process. I’m looking forward to running out in front of great fans, a big, big supporter base, and obviously a really big history. I’m extremely honoured and grateful to for this opportunity.

I've felt extremely loved from all the fans and members. My phone's been going off, but I can't wait to meet them all and run out in front of them in 2026.

Fiorini on… leadership

I think the finals experience will definitely help this group. As you said, it's a young and exciting group, and I feel like Gold Coast was sort of there a couple of years ago.

Hopefully I can come here and have an impact on the field as well as off the field, especially with the young crew.

I like to look at myself as sort of a leader - with that experience of 10 years in the system, I have a real passion for helping out the younger boys and helping those around me get better, so I can't wait to help the boys.