The 91-game Essendon midfielder has secured a new contract extension, building upon his existing four-year deal signed in 2024 to cement his long-term future.
Since arriving as pick nine in the 2021 mid-season draft, Durham has established himself as a cornerstone of the Bombers midfield, earning consecutive top-three Crichton Medal finishes in 2024 and 2025 while averaging over 20 disposals and five clearances per game last season.
Durham, 24, looks to be coming into the peak of his powers, and there was no doubt in his mind where he wanted to lock away his future.
"I know exactly where I want to be, and that is at the Essendon Football Club," Durham said.
"My focus is entirely on bringing success to this team and our supporters.
“I didn’t want to wait for Free Agency, I wanted to lock in my future right now.
"I have great faith in this list and in Brad [Scott] and the coaches to take us where we need to go.
“There’s a real sense of confidence in the program; we’re working hard every day to get better, and I’m just excited to be a part of it."
The former Goulburn Valley League Lion and Murray Bushranger has well and truly established himself as a key part of the plan to deliver Essendon its first finals win in 22 years, a factor list manager Matt Rosa was keenly aware of.
"Sam is an icon for our younger players and a massive part of our future," Rosa said.
"His rise from a mid-season draftee to one of the competition's elite emerging midfielders is a credit to his ruthless pursuit of improvement.
"He 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. That is very exciting for all Bomber fans."
Durham and Essendon’s season begins Friday, March 13 in a blockbuster rivalry clash against preliminary finalist Hawthorn at the MCG.
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