Essendon Bombers re-sign Sam Durham; Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell’s finger injury is worse than first thought
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The form of Wil Powell, who also played in the State of Origin match and played well with the ball in the first quarter of Thursday night’s friendly against St Kilda, will give the Suns comfort that they have depth in midfield.
The severity of Rowell’s injury comes after it was revealed Giants All-Australian key defender Sam Taylor had also suffered a high-grade hamstring injury in a pre-season match. Although there is no official timeframe yet for Taylor’s expected return, a senior club source said they fear Taylor’s recovery could take up to 10 weeks.
Durham re-committed to Dons for long term
Russell Bennett
Essendon secured the signature of Sam Durham after a turbulent off-season that saw superstar midfielder Zach Merrett seek refuge at Hawthorn.
The Bombers announced on Friday that 24-year-old Durham, who was selected ninth overall in the 2021 mid-season draft, has signed a four-year contract extension, tying him to the club until at least the end of 2032.
Cashed in, Essendon have made no secret of their desire to recruit big names such as two-time premiership Lion Zac Bailey and have offered Hawks young gun Josh Weddle a staggering seven-year deal worth up to $10 million before he rejoins Sam Mitchell’s group.
Sam Durham has committed his long-term playing future to the Bombers.Credit: AFL Pictures
But more importantly, securing the signatures of existing core players. Explosive and hard-nosed, Durham has played 91 games since his 2021 debut and has proven to be one of the early picks alongside Brad Scott.
Announcing the fans’ favorite’s contract extension, Essendon list boss Matt Rosa said Durham’s loyalty was key to the club’s list creation.
“Sam is an icon for our young players and a big part of our future,” Rosa said.
“His development from a player drafted mid-season to one of the elite midfielders in the tournament is an achievement of his relentless pursuit of improvement.
“He plays with an intensity that inspires his team-mates and excites our fans. He epitomizes the type of person we want at Essendon. For a player of his caliber to reject the lure of free agency for another four years shows that our players truly believe in the path we are on.”
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Durham said Essendon was “exactly where I wanted to be”.
“I have great faith in this list and Brad [Scott] and the coaches will take us where we need to go,” he said.
“There’s a real sense of confidence in the program; we work hard every day to get better, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Durham finished in the top three of Essendon’s best and fairest in 2024 and 2025.
JHF’s horror preseason continues
Steve Larkin, AAP
Port Adelaide player Jason Horne-Francis continues to struggle in pre-season and was taken off the field in the trial match with a foot problem.
Horne-Francis, who had foot surgery last November, was absent from the second half of Friday’s hearing against Adelaide.
Power said that the star player had a “little awareness” in one of his legs and was resting.
The 22-year-old dynamic player, who broke his foot in the 18th round last season and was given his plate in November, only rejoined pre-season training in recent weeks.
Horne-Francis, the AFL’s No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft, also missed Port’s internal hearing due to a blow to his shoulder suffered in training last week.
His new concern comes after Greater Western Sydney’s woes worsened when two players – Brent Daniels and Cody Angove – suffered hamstring injuries in a trial match against Collingwood.
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