Essendon has signed midfielder Sam Durham on a contract extension through to the end of 2032.
AFL Media’s Cal Twomey believes the deal is the most lucrative contract the club has given out in its history.
The deal takes the 24-year-old past both free agency and the looming Tasmania expansion.
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The deal would likely be around the $1m per season range, given contracts offered to the likes of Zach Merrett, Ben McKay and Dylan Shiel in recent years.
Durham finished third in the club’s best and fairest last season and has played 84 career games.
Nate Caddy of the Bombers celebrates a goal with Sam Durham. AFL Photos via Getty Images
He was initially selected in the 2021 mid-season draft out of Richmond’s VFL team and has become of the club’s prime midfielders.
Durham was already signed until 2028, with this contract adding an extra four years.
“I know exactly where I want to be, and that is at the Essendon Football Club,” Durham told the club’s website.
“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.”
The news comes as Essendon defeated Richmond in a scratch match in Tullamarine, 118 to 68.
After an injury-plagued 2025, the Dons welcomed back the likes of Darcy Parish, Zach Reid, Ben McKay and Kyle Langford in the win.
Durham was among the best in the game, though official stats were not kept.
Nate Caddy, Archie Roberts and Dyson Sharp all impressed throughout.
For Richmond, Kane McAuliffe and Sam Lalor caught the eye, with the former No.1 pick showing a great resemblance to a young Dustin Martin, now that he is donning the No.4 guernsey.