Essendon 200-gamer David Zaharakis will play local footy in 2022

After a decorated career at Essendon, David Zaharakis is making the move to local footy in 2022, landing at a Northern Football League powerhouse.

David Zaharakis celebrates a goal for Essendon. Picture: Michael Klein

David Zaharakis will play local footy next season after signing for Northern Football League power Bundoora.

The retired Essendon star is the second ex-AFL star to join the Bulls in as many seasons, following Sam Lloyd’s impressive debut season in 2021.

He’s also the second ex-AFL player to join the NFL in as many weeks after former Western Bulldogs onballer Lin Jong signed with Montmorency.

Zaharakis, 31, called time on his AFL career this year after 226 games and 136 goals in red and black.

He was taken with pick 23 in the 2008 AFL Draft and went on to win the 2011 Crichton Medal as Essendon’s best-and-fairest, an Anzac Medal in 2013 and kicked one of the most famous Anzac Day goals in just his fourth game.

No stranger to the NFL, the star midfielder is an Eltham junior.

Bundoora coach Michael Ryan was rapt to have another AFL-quality talent land at Yulong Reserve.

“He’s still got plenty of good football in the tank and having played 226 at AFL level, we’re pretty excited to add him to the midfield group,” he said.

“We always thought our strength was the onball group but this will complement it further, adding Dave in.

“He’s definitely versatile but we see him playing onball with us and also up forward at times when he needs a rest.

“If you look at his career he played his best football in the midfield but also averaged just over half a goal a game, so he can hit the scoreboard too.

“Also off-field and culturally, what he can bring in terms of standards and professionalism is going to be brilliant for the group.”

Securing post-football employment was critical for Zaharakis.

“We’re fortunate to have one of our major sponsors, Nick Soklev at Northern Motor Group, he and Dave have had a long-standing friendship,” Ryan said.

“When Dave finished up at Essendon, there was an opportunity for him to come and play at Bundoora – we wanted to wait for the free agency period to play out – and we were able to get Dave’s signature for 2022.”

David Zaharakis in action for the Bombers. Picture: Michael Klein

Zaharakis adds further star power to a club that finished second this season, bouncing back in style from a disappointing 2019.

The Bulls have also added Daniel Younan full-time after the Essendon VFL captain called time on his state league career.

Tough midfielder James Condello has also arrived from NFL Division 1 rival Macleod.

Lloyd is back in training after recovering from a broken wrist, suffered in what proved to be the final game of the season.

Ryan was looking forward to seeing everyone come together when pre-season begins.

“Sammy Lloyd, what he did for us this year, was huge albeit with a disappointing end breaking his wrist,” Ryan said.

“Sam is going to be better for having a year in the competition, he’s so smart he was able to readjust from Round 3 or 4 onwards and we saw the benefits.

“His wrist is 100 per cent healed now and he’s already back in training and keen for a big 2022.

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“James is going to be great for us, by all reports he’s hard as a cat’s head and super fit, so he’ll complement our midfield group beautifully and is excited for a fresh start.

“James and Danny Younan, culturally we’re in a really good spot, what we’ve been able to do is bring good people into the club.

“I think Jesse King, Jon Jorgensen and Jacob Mayne are the three boys that are going to benefit the most from getting David Zaharakis.

“Being able to present the football to them coming out of midfield, it’s very exciting.”