Refreshed from their bye week after a whirlwind month, Sam Durham and Essendon have sights firmly set on charging home with momentum in the final nine games of the campaign. 

For Durham, who’s clearly hit his straps in the last few weeks, getting some experienced troops back (especially in the midfield) will benefit the group under Interim Senior Coach Dean Solomon for the remainder of 2026. 

A recent narrow defeat to Carlton held the first 30-disposal effort of Durham’s 104-game career to date, with his aggressive first half setting a tone for what he wants to see from his side going forward.  

“That Carlton game, we were in it until the last minute – we want to be that sort of team that’ll be hard to play against,” Durham told essendonfc.com.au. 

“I think I blew up a few times in second halves (of those games close to the bye). I’m getting continuity back in the midfield playing with those guys – it’s going to take time getting used to all the young ones as well. 

“We had a good bye week. The boys got away which was good, we reset and we’re ready to hit the back end (of the season).” 

With Jye Caldwell and Darcy Parish eyeing off returns this weekend, Durham’s confident their experience in the on-ball rotation will pay dividends in the next two months of footy. 

The 24-year-old also pointed to his close on-field dynamic with Will Setterfield as an element behind the Dons’ recent improvements in both clearance and contested ball metrics. 

“It’s good to have ‘Setters’ back in there, we read well off each other and we’ll get a few of those senior boys back after the bye, which is exciting,” Durham said.

“(We like) having two guys that know to play the inside role consistently for those young guys to swap and change, come in, learn easier and pick it up more quickly.” 

Hoping to finish strong after a particularly difficult few months on-field for the Club, Durham wants the proof to be in the pudding – ideally a tough brand that can stand up under pressure. 

“We want to play an exciting brand of footy, that’s one of the main things,” Durham said.

“Our theme going into the back end is ‘gritty not pretty’. It’s about gritting away in those games.” 

Durham and the Dons suit up again when they take on North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium this Sunday.