Essendon has retained the services of Will Setterfield and Rhys Unwin on one-year deals for the 2027 AFL season.

The pair have earnt their list opportunities for next year after impressive returns from respective injury setbacks in the second half of the season, with Setterfield offering a strong presence in the middle of the park and Unwin providing plenty of spark. 

Entering the year as an SSP signing, Setterfield left it all out there in his 11 games for the season, producing some of the toughest and most consistent football of his career to date. 

Averaging a career-high 23 disposals per game for the season, Setterfield’s experience and understated leadership complemented one of the youngest on-ball brigades in the competition.

His finish to the season in the final fortnight was inspired, picking up 32 touches in each of the final two fixtures, as well as a combined 15 tackles, 15 clearances and a 42 per cent contested possession rate.

Unwin bounced back from a nasty hamstring injury early in the year to again find his feet in the VFL before making some very flashy cameos in the final month of the season at the highest level. 

Still just 19 years of age, the second-year Bomber impressed with his pressure in the finals rounds, laying seven tackles and hitting the scoreboard against the Swans. 

The Cobden boy produced one of the Club’s better highlights of the season with a repeat-effort goal assist against the Power, using his pace to get clear of multiple defenders along the boundary line before setting up Peter Wright for a goal.

Essendon see Unwin as a high-upside impact player, with his elite agility and raking left foot evident in his stints at AFL level so far.

General Manager of List and Recruiting Matt Rosa praised the pair for earning new deals.

“It’s great to have Will and Rhys on board for next season,” Rosa said. 

“Will has shown outstanding professionalism and commitment to the footy club in his tenure, but especially this season. To come back and perform the way he has after a lengthy waiting period on his future at the end of last season is a testament to his character.

“He’s such a well respected person around the club and brings a really healthy level of experience to our younger midfielders – he’ll be important for us in 2027.

“Rhys is a high potential player and we’ve seen our share of glimpses of that in his first couple of seasons. 

“His balance, footwork and creativity with the ball are really exciting traits, but he’s also really impressed us with his willingness to apply pressure and play a role up forward. He also is a great culture fit for our youngsters.

“With another full pre-season under his belt, we’ll see more growth and consistency in his game next year.”