Defender Jordan Ridley has secured his future with the Bombers, putting pen to paper on a three-year contract extension to see him through until the end of 2029.
Ridley was already signed to the club until 2026, but as a sign of his loyalty to the red and black, he has extended for three more years.
The news continues an exciting group of re-signings for the Bombers, with forward Kyle Langford and emerging midfielder Elijah Tsatas recommitting to the club in the past fortnight.
Ridley said he was excited to lock away the new deal and extend his commitment to the club.
“I’m really excited but also very proud to have the opportunity to play for such a great club for such a long time,”
“Firstly, I can’t go past the teammates I have here. I’ve got a lot of really strong relationships here at the club, making it really special to play alongside them.
"It gives me a lot of confidence in where the club is heading with the likes of Zach (Merrett), Ben (McKay), Darcy (Parish) and Mason (Redman) signing on, so I’m really looking forward to playing with them for many years to come. Having ‘Scotty’ (Brad Scott) come in and see how he has led the team has definitely impacted my decision to extend.
“Looking at clubs like Geelong and Sydney and their sustained success is something I want to achieve with this club.”
Ridley has enjoyed a stellar run in the Bombers’ defence since his breakout 2020 season, where he became the least experienced Crichton Medallist in more than 70 years, winning the club’s top honour after just 26 career games.
A composed operator in the back six, Ridley was named in the AFLPA 22under22 team in back-to-back years in 2020 and 2021, showcasing his versatility by locking down key forwards when required and distributing the ball well in transition.
The 25-year-old’s consistency has been a key factor for the Bombers in recent seasons, highlighted by three consecutive top-five finishes in the Crichton Medal between 2021-23, even after missing five games through injury last season.
General Manager of AFL Daniel McPherson said the extension reflected Ridley’s dedication to the red and black.
“Jordan has become an incredibly influential player for us in recent seasons, and has emerged as an important leader amongst the playing group, both on and off the field. He is the ultimate professional, highly regarded and well respected by his teammates, and will play a key role in shaping and driving the team culture and environment we are building at Essendon,” McPherson said.
“Despite an already impressive football resume, at just 25, we believe that Jordan’s best football is well and truly ahead of him.
“We are delighted he has chosen to extend his contract and remain with the Essendon Football Club until the end of 2029. It is a significant signing for our football club, and is a fantastic reflection of the confidence he has in Brad and the club moving forward.”
