AFL 2023: Every Essendon player’s contract status and future analysed
On the outer at Essendon after the emergence of several young midfield stars, Dylan Shiel’s future has become the biggest off-season decision Brad Scott must make. Which clubs could be interested? EVERY BOMBER ASSESSED
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Essendon has kicked off the AFL’s annual delisting season by telling three players they won’t be offered contracts for next year.
Alastair Lord, Rhett Montgomerie and Cian McBride were all cut from the list on Monday.
“The three players have been terrific club people and handled the news today with great professionalism,” Essendon’s general manager of performance Daniel McPherson said.
“We wish them all the best for their future careers, and they will always be welcome back at Essendon.”
And they won’t be the only post-season departures as the Bombers put their list under the blowtorch.
Essendon needs more of everything.
Definitely more key defenders, more goalkickers, more leaders, more players available each week.
The good news is the Bombers have room to get more.
As coach Brad Scott said after a shambolic final fortnight ended the season on a sour note: “We are certainly in a very strong position in terms of list management to improve our list”.
The biggest name all season has been Darcy Parish and the midfielder has been an example of the prudish Dons – the club doesn’t want to bend so far to keep Parish that it will put its cap out of shape.
Parish wants to stay and the Bombers believe he will but there is a gap to close.
Essendon wants better key defensive support and has been in the hunt for North Melbourne free agent Ben McKay but is also shedding key backs.
A contract is in front of Brandon Zerk-Thatcher but he is expected to request a trade back home to South Australia, James Stewart has been cut despite having a year to run on his contract and Irish project Cian McBride is set to follow.
Peter Wright missed much of 2023 through injury but he is seen as the main man up forward and Harry Jones could be a perfect compliment, alongside Kyle Langford.
But Jones can’t stay on the field either, even as Essendon is set to carry on with him.
Nic Martin will get a raise on a new contract and a number of other players remain in the air.
Veteran Dylan Shiel could have some currency on the move but Essendon wants him to play out his contract, as another player who couldn’t stay fit this year.
Fitness is one of the big issues at the Hangar, as Scott bemoaned how his side is simply uncompetitive when hit with a number of outs.
The Bombers not only need more AFL-standard players, they need more players who are available.
And Essendon is young – with Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Andrew Phillips now retired, Dyson Heppell and Dylan Shiel are the only Bombers over the age of 30.
Premiership player Adam Ramanauskas – who was part of Essendon’s last winning final all the way back in 2004 – said it has been “one misstep after another” in search of a finals win and injuries were hitting the Bombers for six.
“What the really tricky part for Essendon is, and it’s not mentioned enough, is they simply don’t have their best 22 available often enough,” Ramanauskas said on ABC radio.
“When you’re in the middle of the ladder, it is very hard to improve if you don’t have continuity of those players playing.”
Scott has put it on his players to dig deep over summer and he will run the show through a full off-season for the first time, with the coach pledging not to take a break until Christmas.
To end what has been the worst two decades in club history and become contenders again, Essendon needs to improve across the board, on field and off.
Here is where every Bomber sits and how strong the cuts will be on a list that needs to be better across the board to make finals.
1. Andrew McGrath
Age: 25 AFL games: 134 (2023 games: 23) Contract ends: 2024
Sent back to play off half-back this year, McGrath has thrived and has won more disposals this year than in any of his previous six seasons. The former No.1 pick will never be a superstar but he is a very good half-back flanker. Out of contract next year, the Dons will look to lock him down over summer.
Status: Staying
2. Sam Draper
Age: 24 Games: 57 (2023 games: 14) Contract ends: 2025
It’s no coincidence that things really started to go downhill for Essendon after Draper went down with a hip injury. Possibly the club’s most important player, the ruck is a crucial part of Brad Scott’s planned rise up the ladder.
Status: Staying
3. Darcy Parish
Age: 26 Games: 150 (2023 games: 18) Contract ends: Out-of-contract
The agonising wait continues for Bombers fans, however Parish has declared that he will sign. Few players can win the ball like Parish who is rated elite among midfielders for disposals, clearances, inside-50s, contested possessions, score involvements and pressure acts. Now that is a high-end spread of good numbers.
Status: Likely staying
4. Kyle Langford
Age: 26 Games: 130 (2023 games: 23) Contract ends: 2026
Finally settled in a position, Langford has gone past 50 goals and will win Essendon’s goalkicking this year. Few players can find space and convert at the same rates as Langford, and he is locked in for the long term.
Status: Staying
5. Elijah Tsatas
Age: 18 Games: 4 (2023 games: 4) Contract ends: 2024
Took some time but Tsatas eventually won his way into a debut late this season. Reeled in 23 disposals in his second game and has found the ball at will at VFL level. Unsigned beyond his draft deal, which is rare for a high pick but the Bombers will look to move on him before next season starts.
Status: Staying
6. Jye Caldwell
Age: 22 Games: 55 (2023 games: 21) Contract ends: 2024
Took some time to warm up this year but had a strong patch through the middle of the season in which he averaged 21.1 disposals per game. Still a lot of growth left in his game but he is showing signs of improvement and set a new career-high for games played in 2023.
Status: Staying
7. Zach Merrett
Age: 27 Games: 206 (2023 games: 22) Contract ends: 2027
A masterstroke by Brad Scott installing Merrett as captain this year. The star has been superb this year and looks a natural-born skipper. Merrett just needs some others to come along with him. Not only elite at finding the ball, he is one of the best users in the competition.
Status: Staying
8. Ben Hobbs
Age: 19 Games: 35 (2023 games: 18) Contract ends: 2025
A building year for the teen, who improved in almost every aspect on his debut season. Hobbs was signed up by the Dons in May to a two-year extension and has had plenty of reps in his first two years at the club.
Status: Staying
9. Dylan Shiel
Age: 30 Games: 211 (2023 games: 12) Contract ends: 2024
With Archie Perkins, Ben Hobbs, Jye Caldwell and Sam Durham all showing steady improvement this year, where does that leave Shiel? When he played early this season, Shiel was still very strong inside the contest and the Bombers were happy with him as a midfielder who could push forward. Should the Bombers dangle him in the trade period? Geelong, Richmond, Sydney, could use a midfielder who has acceleration and he would be a good teacher at North Melbourne. But he also could drive Essendon into the finals. Shiel will put his head down and demand minutes ahead of his younger teammates.
Status: Staying
10. Sam Weideman
Age: 26 Games: 75 (2023 games: 16) Contract ends: 2024
After playing seven games without kicking a goal in the middle of the year, Weideman was sent back to defence in the VFL. He has been spectacular in three games there, averaging 25 disposals, 9.7 marks and five intercept marks – all elite numbers for a defender. Weideman will probably spend summer training down back. Essendon is screaming out for a good tall defender, have the Dons had one the whole time?
Status: Staying
11. Will Snelling
Age: 26 Games: 65 (2023 games: 15) Contract ends: Out-of-contract
Snelling finished third in the Essendon best-and-fairest in 2021 but has played four games in the VFL this year. He has been excellent when in the seconds but hasn’t hit 20 disposals in a game in the seniors this year and has kicked just six goals. If the Bombers are going to cut deep, Snelling is in trouble.
Status: In the air
12. Will Setterfield
Age: 25 Games: 67 (2023 games: 10) Contract ends: 2024
A fractured foot hit Setterfield’s season and he has played just nine AFL games this year. The tall midfielder has been searching for a role now at three clubs over seven seasons. Next year looms as a make-or-break after jumping on a two-year deal when he crossed from Carlton.
Status: Staying
13. Nik Cox
Age: 21 Games: 33 (2023 games: 6) Contract ends: 2024
Add a back issue to foot and ankle woes that have troubled young Cox through the last two seasons. This year marks two consecutive years of struggle for the ‘Unicorn’ who has missed a chance to lock down a position on the field. He has so much talent and as Cox heads into a contract year, he will have a chance to try and land a lucrative new deal.
Status: Staying
14. Jordan Ridley
Age: 24 Games: 85 (2023 games: 17) Contract ends: 2026
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd heralds Ridley as one of the most underrated players in the game and the Bombers sure missed him in the final rounds of the season as he nursed a sore quad. Ridley is an excellent user of the ball and finds the footy well off half-back and if he can lift his intercept marks back to an elite level, he should figure in All-Australian talk. Ridley signed a long-term deal in 2021 to stick around until the end of 2026.
Status: Staying
15. Jayden Laverde
Age: 27 Games: 110 (2023 games: 19) Contract ends: 2025
Signed a three-year deal midway through 2022 and has been a solid contributor down back throughout this year. Just undersized to play on the big guys but is a very reliable third tall.
Status: Staying
16. Archie Perkins
Age: 21 Games: 62 (2023 games: 23) Contract ends: 2024
Super strong and capable of bobbing up at the right times, Perkins shows the hallmarks of being dangerous in one of footy’s most important positions: the centre-bounce midfielder who can float forward. Among forwards he ranked elite for inside-50s, effective kicks and above average for clearances, a strong profile. Expect the Dons to move quickly to lock him up beyond next year.
Status: Staying
17. James Stewart
Age: 29 Games: 78 (2023 games: 0) Contract ends: 2024
Still a year to go on the contract but Stewart is on the way out the door. As Essendon hunts more key defensive strength, Stewart hasn’t been able to fit the bill and the former Giant hasn’t played at all this year after featuring six times in 2022. The tall presents as a solid option for a rival side given he will be cheap as Essendon will have to pay out that contract next year.
Status: Going
18. Lewis Hayes
Age: 18 Games: 0 Contract ends: 2024
The young tall has played in the VFL all season in his first year in the system. A 21 disposal, six intercept mark performance against Richmond in round 9 was his best performance as he develops.
Status: Staying
19. Nick Hind
Age: 29 Games: 80 (2023 games: 16) Contract ends: 2024
Signed a two-year deal in 2022 but has been in and out of the side throughout this year, playing the least amount of games in any of his three seasons with Essendon. Still provides plenty of zip off half-back but may need a big year in 2024 to stick around.
Status: Staying
20. Peter Wright
Age: 26 Games: 119 (2023 games: 10) Contract ends: 2027
Essendon gladly locked Peter Wright into a hefty four-year deal after he won the club’s best-and-fairest last year and almost immediately, he busted his shoulder. Took until round 13 to return to the field and he has been solid this year as he finds his feet. With Kyle Langford alongside, Wright could use another key forward partner.
Status: Staying
21. Dyson Heppell
Age: 31 Games: 235 (2023 games: 22) Contract ends: 2024
Signed up on another one-year deal last week. The former skipper has been up and down at times but has more than paid his way this year as a smart user off half-back. Turned down a Gold Coast offer last year to remain in the sash and likely enters his final season in 2024.
Status: Staying
22. Sam Durham
Age: 22 Games: 49 (2023 games: 22) Contract ends: 2024
The Bombers gladly continue to pump games into the young midfielder, most often on the wing. He uses the ball well but doesn’t find a heap of it – averaging 16.1 disposals a game this year – so needs to lift in that area.
Status: Staying
23. Harrison Jones
Age: 22 Games: 31 (2023 games: 5) Contract ends: Out-of-contract
Essendon is sure he isn’t going anywhere but Jones is a curious case. He is the kind of footballer that every club wants – an athletic tall who can take a mark and is accurate in front of goal. At just 22, his career is really only just beginning. Yet Jones remains without a contract and this year he dealt with both an ankle reconstruction and a back stress fracture. The forward was back to full fitness by the end of the season and will get a full summer of work under his belt. Perhaps a one-year deal that allows him to fight for a pay rise or let both parties split if necessary is the best way forward.
Status: Likely staying
24. Nick Bryan
Age: 21 Games: 14 (2023 games: 8) Contract ends: Out-of-contract
Featured heavily when Sam Draper sat out with injury and showed he was capable but certainly didn’t light the world on fire. Essendon played two rucks pretty much all of this year, preferring the Draper and Andrew Phillips combination, so with Phillips retired, Bryan should get more minutes. The Bombers have been talking to the ruck about staying but clubs will circle the 2021 VFL best-and-fairest winner though as ruck depth is a league-wide need. It’s a tricky proposition ahead for Bryan, who will want more ruck time but probably doesn’t walk into any club as the No.1 man. If Brodie Grundy goes, does he bite the bullet and sit behind Max Gawn for a year? West Coast is also searching for a long-term big man.
Status: In the air
25. Jake Stringer
Age: 29 Games: 189 (2023 games: 17) Contract ends: 2024
What will we see from Stringer in a contract year? A sore foot derailed much of the back end of his season just as the Dons began falling away but Stringer is still one of the club’s most important players. He remains one of the most dangerous centre-bounce midfielders in the league and still kicks over a goal a game. Stringer said in July “I can’t see myself ever leaving” Essendon and will want a big year next year to secure perhaps one final big contract.
Status: Staying
26. Kaine Baldwin
Age: 21 Games: 8 (2023 games: 4) Contract ends: Out-of-contract
Played three AFL games after four last year. His VFL numbers are only modest and Essendon is not short on third-tall defenders, the Bombers need big men down back. A couple of knee injuries cruelled his first two years and Baldwin was called up to play in round 24 but didn’t get a possession due to concussion. The Bombers still rate him though and keen for him to continue.
Status: Likely staying
27. Mason Redman
Age: 26 Games: 103 (2023 games: 23) Contract ends: 2028
A huge win for Essendon locking Redman in this year on a long-term deal. Redman had plenty of interest in Adelaide but was happy to stay put. Few players rack up metres-gained off half-back like Redman. Next stop for him is getting back into the finals.
Status: Staying
28. Alastair Lord
Age: 19 Games: 1 (2023 games: 0) Contract ends: Out-of-contract
May end up one of the unluckiest players of recent times – Lord’s only AFL game in round 8 last year when he was an unused substitute. Has shown improvement on last year, lifting his VFL numbers substantially but in 36 VFL games over two years he has topped 20 disposals just twice. Has been told he won’t be offered a new contract.
Status: Going
29. Jake Kelly
Age: 28 Games: 148 (2023 games: 17) Contract ends: 2024
Joined the Bombers on a three-year deal from Adelaide and has been an important lockdown defender. Kelly doesn’t get a heap of the ball but is a good foil for Mason Redman.
Status: Staying
30. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher
Age: 24 Games: 51 (2023 games: 22) Contract ends: Out-of-contract
An interesting case – Zerk-Thatcher has been smashed at times this year but also is a developing tall defender with his best years ahead of him. The South Australian has been linked with a move back home – most likely to Port Adelaide – and is expected to seek a trade. The Bombers want him to stay and have put an offer to him but given he is out of contract, have little leverage in any trade talks. If Essendon gets Ben McKay in, letting him go won’t hurt. But if the Bombers don’t land McKay, they will be short of tall timber down back again. Zerk-Thatcher looked out of his depth against the likes of Tom Hawkins and Jesse Hogan.
Status: Likely going
31. Zach Reid
Age: 21 Games: 8 (2023 games: 0) Contract ends: 2025
Hamstring woes limited Reid to just two VFL games this year. Essendon thinks Reid is the future and a potential solution to its defensive problems but he has barely played at the level. There is plenty of time for him to develop as a 202cm giant but he would have played plenty of games this year if he was fit. Was back to full fitness by the end of the year so has a crucial summer ahead. A chance to step out from being a bit of a myth for Dons fans and into a footballer in 2024.
Status: Staying
33. Alwyn Davey Jr
Age: 19 Games: 10 (2023 games: 10) Contract ends: 2025
As a father-son, Davey signed a long-term deal when he agreed to join the Dons. Has played plenty in the AFL in what was always going to be a developing year. Gathered 23 disposals playing largely in the midfield in a VFL game in round 15 showing there is more to him than just as a pressure forward.
Status: Staying
34. Andrew Phillips
Age: 32 Games: 82 (2023 games: 20) Contract ends: Out-of-contract
The three-club big man announced in August he was retiring after being taken in the rookie draft all the way back in 2011. Will head back to Tasmania after possibly the finest season of his career.
Status: Retired
35. Matt Guelfi
Age: 26 Games: 96 (2023 games: 13) Contract ends: 2024
Finished third in the Essendon best-and-fairest last year in recognition of the hard work he does on the half-forward line. Guelfi is an invaluable piece of the Essendon side and is usually locked into the team, outside of a hamstring injury this year. Never flashy – despite the old bleached hair look – but gets it done.
Status: Staying
36. Jayden Davey
Age: 19 Games: 0 Contract ends: 2024
The other Davey twin busted his knee before the season and didn’t play a minute of football this year. Will hope for better luck next year.
Status: Staying
37. Nic Martin
Age: 22 Games: 44 (2023 games: 23) Contract ends: 2024
It was good business by Essendon to lock in Martin on a two-year deal just as he started making an impact in 2022. His next deal, which will surely be a priority for the Dons and shouldn’t be too far away, will be a hefty and well deserved pay rise. One of the better wingers in the competition already, Martin is still getting better.
Status: Staying
38. Rhett Montgomerie
Age: 23 Games: 0 Contract ends: Out-of-contract
No AFL games for the mature recruit this year despite putting up strong numbers mostly out of the backline in the seconds this year. Was taken up on the rookie list in the hope he would impact straight away but was delisted the Monday after round 24.
Status: Going
39. Patrick Voss
Age: 20 Games: 0 Contract ends: Out-of-contract
Voss booted nine goals in the first two weeks of the VFL year and has averaged 1.7 goals across the season but hasn’t had a look in at the top level. Similar numbers last year in kicking 19 goals in 11 games. Voss is still quite raw even though he knows the goals. No AFL debut and he is a lineball call.
Status: In the air
40. Tex Wanganeen
Age: 19 Games: 5 (2023 games: 0) Contract ends: 2024
Played five times in 2022 but hasn’t had a chance at AFL level this year. The Bombers signed him up on a two-year deal in July last year so he has a contract to carry on in 2024. Has averaged a goal a game and a 20 disposal, 11 contested possession outing in round 11 was his best effort this year.
Status: Staying
41. Cian McBride
Age: 22 Games: 0 Contract ends: Out-of-contract
Essendon was given special permission to keep McBride on its Category B list an extra year but he has hardly figured in senior selection. He has improved his efficiency with ball in hand but hasn’t got much of it this year in the VFL. Was delisted on the Monday after round 24.
Status: Going
42. Massimo D’Ambrosio
Age: 20 Games: 16 (2023 games: 8) Contract ends: Out-of-contract
Appeared to have burst on the scene last year but has been limited to just eight AFL appearances in 2023 and his season was ended by a knee injury. Other clubs will certainly sniff around given he showed real talent in 2022 as a hard-running left-footer. Still only 20 and Essendon has begun talks on keeping him, with the Bombers expecting him to stick around.
Status: Likely staying
43. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
Age: 30 Games: 133 (2023 games: 7) Contract ends: Out-of-contract
The beloved Bomber’s comeback lasted one season, after he announced he would retire after a final farewell during Friday’s game against Collingwood. McDonald-Tipungwuti was facing an uphill climb to get a new deal as it was but he will finish up one of the most loved Essendon players of his era.
Status: Retired
45. Anthony Munkara
Age: 18 Games: 0 Contract ends: Out-of-contract
The young forward is a project player and will take some time to develop. The Tiwi Islands product has also faced a tough time adjusting to life in Melbourne. He has kicked multiple goals on four occasions at VFL level this year.
Status: In the air
47. Jye Menzie
Age: 20 Games: 23 (2023 games: 21) Contract ends: Out-of-contract
No official deal yet but Menzie will be sticking around at Essendon. The lively small forward sits second behind Kyle Langford in the club’s goalkicking count this season with 23 majors and has been a big winner across half-forward. Deserving of a multi-year extension.
Status: Staying
49. Jaiden Hunter
Age: 21 Games: 0 Contract ends: Out-of-contract
Scooped up in the mid-season draft, a back injury ruined Hunter’s chances of making an impact with Essendon this year. A goalkicker in the WAFL before being lured east, Hunter bagged four in his second and final VFL game with Essendon in round 12. Hasn’t really had a chance to prove himself so should get another go. Hunter only nominated a six-month contract before the mid-year draft so needs a new deal.
Status: Likely staying
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