Sam Durham has been named Essendon’s Liberty Player of the Year for 2026, capping off an impressive campaign for the midfielder.
 
Durham’s ability to win the football and provide a physical presence around stoppages was a defining feature of his season. He featured in 20 games, reaching his 100-game milestone in round nine against GWS, where he collected 26 disposals and eight clearances.

 
His consistency was particularly evident through the middle of the season. From rounds eight to 19, Durham averaged almost 25 disposals per game, failing to record fewer than 20 in any match during that stretch.
 
He produced some of his best football late in the season, earning Liberty Player of the Month honours for rounds 17–20 and recording a career-high nine clearances against St Kilda in Round 17.
 
Durham also cracked the 30-disposal mark for the first time in his career, putting together a standout performance against the Blues. He collected 30 disposals, including 10 contested possessions, sent the Dons inside 50 seven times and made his impact count forward, taking a strong contested mark and converting truly in the second term.

His unselfishness and ability to influence the game beyond simply winning the ball has also been evident in his 36 goal assists across the past three seasons. 

The 25-year-old’s importance to Essendon’s future was further reinforced during the 2026 pre-season, when he signed a contract extension that will keep him in the sash until at least the end of 2032.
 
Now an established part of Essendon’s midfield and an important piece of its future, Durham’s continued development will be a major positive for the Bombers as they look ahead.