Mason Redman says he would have left last year if he was out of contract
A star Essendon defender who knocked back free agency to re-sign with the club is urging a teammate to join him in staying.
Star Essendon defender Mason Redman say he’s glad his free agency year didn’t fall in 2022 because he would have likely left Essendon given the state the club was in last season.
And he’s urged off-contract teammate Darcy Parish to join him and commit to the club, adamant the environment had changed significantly since the appointment of new coach Brad Scott.
Redman, who is from South Australia, knocked back a reported long-term offer from Adelaide to recommit to the Bombers until the end of 2028 on Tuesday.
He gave Essendon’s new football department under chief executive Craig Vozzo and Scott a glowing endorsement, saying the revamped environment at the club had changed his mind on leaving the club.
“I think the club’s obviously in a very different place to what it was last year, and luckily I wasn’t in a position to make a decision last year, and I’m glad I wasn’t because the direction the club’s going is something that I really believe in,” Redman said.
“With Craig (Vozzo) at the helm as CEO making the decisions out there and Scotty in charge of the football program, I really, really have the belief that this will be the way forward for the club.
“I think everything from the top down, and you probably don’t notice this as a young player, feels like it’s focused towards football.”
Prolific midfielder Parish remains out of contract, with Redman saying the pair had discussed their futures over the course of the season.
“I think he’s a star player, and he’s a really key part of the group. He’s been here for the same amount of time that I have, eight years, and I’d love to play the rest of my career alongside him as well,” Redman said.
“I’ve had chats with him at times just to see how he’s going from a personal point of view.
“Obviously, his decision is up to him … I’d love to have him here alongside myself, but at the end of the day, it’s his decision and I’d be happy for him no matter where he goes.”
Scott said he had never pressured Redman to stay and was thrilled with his “vote of confidence” in the Bombers’ trajectory.
“I think it’s great for our club that a really important player in Mason can see the vision,” Scott said.
“I didn’t want to blackmail him to stay here and put pressure on him, and I haven’t spoken to him previously about staying, leaving – the only thing I said was ‘it’s a big decision for you’.
“The fact he’s gone away … and looked and assessed his options and has decided Essendon is where he wants to be is a great vote of confidence in our club.”
