The Essendon Football Club is proud to announce that star midfielder Sam Durham has signed a four-year contract extension, effectively tying him to the red and black until at least the end of 2032.
The new deal ensures Durham remains a Bomber for the long-term, a move that highlights his unwavering belief in the club’s trajectory. By recommitting now, the 24-year-old has officially bypassed Free Agency and the potential lures of league expansion with the introduction of the Tasmania Devils.
Since arriving as a mid-season rookie in 2021, Durham has evolved into the prototype of the modern AFL midfielder. Now with 91 games of experience, he is defined by his explosive speed, contested power, and a ruthless attack on the ball that has made him a cornerstone of the Bombers’ engine room and a fan favourite.
His decision to sign long-term is a resounding endorsement of the club's direction and the environment at Essendon.
"I know exactly where I want to be, and that is at the Essendon Football Club," Durham said.
"My focus is entirely on bringing success to this team and our supporters. I didn’t want to wait for Free Agency, I wanted to lock in my future right now.
"I have great faith in this list and in Brad [Scott] and the coaches to take us where we need to go. There’s a real sense of confidence in the program; we’re working hard every day to get better, and I’m just excited to be a part of it."
Recently elevated to the club’s leadership group, Durham said he felt a deep responsibility to repay the club that took a chance on him via the VFL five years ago.
"From where I started to now being in the leadership group, I’m all in on helping our younger players grow, and I’m pumped to commit my future to the Bombers."
Durham’s rise has been meteoric. Drafted with selection No. 9 in the 2021 Mid-Season Draft, he broke into the senior list permanently by 2022. His 2024 season saw him transition into a full-time inside midfielder, resulting in back-to-back top-three finishes in the Crichton Medal (2024, 2025) and the 2025 Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player award.
General Manager of List and Recruiting Matt Rosa said Durham’s loyalty is a significant building block for the club’s list strategy.
"Sam is an icon for our younger players and a massive part of our future," Rosa said.
"His rise from a mid-season draftee to one of the competition's elite emerging midfielders is a credit to his ruthless pursuit of improvement.
"He plays with an intensity that inspires his teammates and excites our fans. He epitomizes the type of person we want at Essendon. To have a player of his calibre reject the lures of Free Agency to commit for a further four years, it shows our players truly believe in the path we are on. That is very exciting for all Bomber fans."
