Essendon is thrilled to announce that Grace Belloni, Holly Ridewood and Taya Chambers have all signed contract extensions through to the end of the 2027 season. 

 

Originally contracted until the end of 2026, the trio have each added an extra year to their deals, further strengthening the Club’s long-term list strategy and maintaining exciting youth within the playing group. 

 

All three Dons played important roles in the Club’s 2025 AFLW campaign, proving themselves as reliable contributors as they prepare to enter the second year of their burgeoning careers. 

 

The Bombers' first pick in the 2024 Draft, Belloni quickly established herself as a dynamic presence, with her work rate, strong frame and contested game making her a handy option as both an inside midfielder and a key forward at times this season. 

 

Impressively, Ridewood played every game following her starring effort on debut in round one against GWS, with Chambers donning the sash for ten of the Club’s twelve games. 

 

In her first season, Ridewood’s willingness to take the game on and impact on the scoreboard earned praised from teammates and coaches, while Chambers' tenacity and composure down back was crucial across several key moments throughout the season. 

 

AFLW List & Recruiting Manager Josh Moore is excited to see how the trio continue their growth - on and off-field - in the coming years. 

 

“We’re thrilled to have Grace, Holly and Taya commit to the Club through to the end of 2027,” Moore said. 

 

“They‘ve each made a strong impact in their first season at the Bombers and have set a strong foundation leading into 2026. 

 

“There’s an exciting future ahead with our list and these three are a huge part of that. We’re super excited to see how they develop over the next couple of years."