![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/a7e59f24c2eb6c7239f28639df387dbd57795c5b.jpeg\")
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Sam Durham has committed his long-term playing future to the Bombers.Credit: AFL Photos<\/p>\n
But even more important is clinching the signatures of their current core players. The explosive, hard-nosed Durham has played 91 games since his 2021 debut and has established himself as one of the first picked in Brad Scott\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
In announcing the contract extension of the fan favourite, Essendon list boss Matt Rosa said Durham\u2019s loyalty was key to club\u2019s list build.<\/p>\n
\u201cSam is an icon for our younger players and a massive part of our future,\u201d Rosa said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis rise from a mid-season draftee to one of the competition\u2019s elite emerging midfielders is a credit to his ruthless pursuit of improvement.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe plays with an intensity that inspires his teammates and excites our fans. He epitomises the type of person we want at Essendon. To have a player of his calibre reject the lures of free agency to commit for a further four years, it shows our players truly believe in the path we are on.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Durham said Essendon is \u201cexactly where I want to be\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have great faith in this list and in Brad [Scott] and the coaches to take us where we need to go,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a real sense of confidence in the program; we\u2019re working hard every day to get better, and I\u2019m just excited to be a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Durham finished in the top three of Essendon\u2019s best and fairest in 2024 and 2025.<\/p>\n
JHF\u2019s horror pre-season continues<\/p>\n
Steve Larkin, AAP<\/p>\n
Port Adelaide gun Jason Horne-Francis\u2019 troubled pre-season has continued, taken from the field in a trial match because of a foot issue.<\/p>\n
Horne-Francis, who had foot surgery last November, was absent during the second half of Friday\u2019s trial against Adelaide.<\/p>\n
The Power say the star on-baller reported \u201cminor awareness\u201d in a foot and was rested.<\/p>\n
The dynamic 22-year-old, who fractured a foot in round 18 last season and had a plate removed in November, only rejoined full pre-season training in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
Horne-Francis, the AFL\u2019s No.1 draft pick 2021, also missed Port\u2019s internal trial last week after copping a knock to a shoulder at training.<\/p>\n
His fresh concern came after GWS\u2019 woes worsened with two players (Brent Daniels and Cody Angove) suffering hamstring injuries in a trial game against Collingwood.<\/p>\n