“As a young kid, being left out of teams and your mates are in there, it definitely takes a toll.” 

For Sam Durham, that toll never hampered his hunger to make it at the highest level.

It was only five years ago that the then-wiry prospect was plying his trade on the wing for Richmond VFL and as a chippy for a day job, with his dream of making an AFL list in 2021 becoming reliant on the third iteration of the re-introduced Mid-Season Draft.

While Durham’s numbers from his top-age stint with the Murray Bushrangers weren’t as eye-catching as other big names to come from the Coates Talent League, the eye test told a different story. 

There aren’t many replacements or advanced metrics for integral traits like tenacity, toughness and courage in footy, which Durham wielded in spades. 

The hard nut channeled the frustration of missing out on two drafts with continually improved outings at the Tigers, which would eventually lead to Essendon calling upon the Seymour boy with pick No.9 at the halfway point of the year.

Fast forward to the present day, Durham is the man of the hour for the Bombers.

Rapid development over the course of 91 games at the highest level has now seen back-to-back podium finishes in the Crichton Medal and a fresh contract extension to keep him in red and black until 2032.

“It came as a bit of a surprise but once I sat down with my manager, it was a no-brainer,” Durham told essendonfc.com.au regarding his extension.

“I love the Club, I love the boys, so I’m happy to be here for another seven years. Playing at the ‘G and Marvel in front of our fans is awesome to me and I’ll never take it for granted.” 

That gratitude for opportunity and the sense of ‘never taking things for granted’ has been ingrained in Durham from his upbringing. 

Durham shares a close bond to family and friends from his hometown, in particular his mum Jan, whose insistence on getting her son to training sessions and yearly tryouts as a junior paved the way for his emergence as a legitimate star. 

“I had a good family support around me that backed me in to keep driving me there to tryouts and what not, especially mum – we did some hours in the car together,” Durham said.

“Even to get my shot in the top age (at the Bushrangers) and with Richmond VFL was a huge belief for me and my family that the hard work had actually paid off. 

“It’s been a pretty cool journey.”

It should come as no surprise that the No.22 is being seen more and more around the ground at Dons home games. Durham is often pointed to as an ‘old-school’ footballer by the Dons faithful, who are strong in their affinity for no-nonsense, blue collar talent.

In addition to his grunt, it was Durham’s athleticism which made him a clear starter on the wing in his early days – despite having a role locked away, it was a game of patience to wait for a spot to open up as an inside mid. 

Following on from his iconic match-winning effort against Richmond in 2023, Durham would go on to work his way into the on-ball rotation alongside running mates like Jye Caldwell and Zach Merrett.

“I’ve taken (the path) the hard way and I pride myself on doing the hard stuff,” Durham said.

“Especially for my first few years, I was on the wing and biding my time for that midfield spot, now I’m in there and don’t really take anything for granted once I’m out there."

Living with Andy McGrath in his first year, Durham points to the new skipper as a major source of inspiration in his high level career. 

Senior players from those first few seasons played a key role in Durham’s accelerated development, which has largely stemmed from a boost in his own self-belief as a Bonafide midfielder. 

“Andy’s been the mainstay for me. When I first got drafted and moved in with him – I don’t know why he took in a country kid to Albert Park – but I’m forever in debt to him and his family,” Durham said.

“He’s taught me a lot off the field. Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett gave me heaps of confidence out there while playing and just believed in me. They’re at the peak of their powers and for a young kid to hear that off those guys was awesome. 

“It comes from training and games played, but they have a massive belief in me, what my skill base is and what I bring to the team. Recognising that gives me a lot of confidence that I can push the team forward.”