Matt Guelfi has re-signed with the Bombers for another two years, extending his tenure until the end of the 2026 season.

A late-draft success story, Guelfi has notched up 109 games and 60 goals in the red and black since being selected with pick No.76 back in 2017, with his tenacious pressure and knack for goal making him a highly rated teammate at the club.

Following his recommitment, the 27-year-old is excited to get back to work with an emerging playing group in 2025 and beyond.

“I’m so proud and excited to sign on with the club for another two years. I have so many great mates here and we are all pushing for the same thing and that’s to take Essendon back to a great, powerful club,” Guelfi said.

“I know we have so much hard work to go but I couldn’t think of a better group to do it with. I’m so grateful that the club has shown faith in me and I won’t let them down.”

A surprise packet in his early days at the Bombers, Guelfi quickly established himself as an important role player in his 2018 debut season, featuring in 15 senior games and taking home the Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star Award.

Capable of channelling his high work rate in different roles, Guelfi was utilised as both a winger and a defensive forward over the next few seasons, occasionally tasked with tagging opposition defenders to good effect.

Locking down his position as a deep pressure forward, Guelfi enjoyed a career-best campaign in 2022, where he appeared in 20 games and booted 17 goals to finish third in the Crichton Medal.

For embodying the club values both on and off-field, Guelfi was also awarded the club’s McCracken Medal that year, reflective of his impact within the four walls of the NEC Hangar.

Although injuries have limited Guelfi to just 26 games in the past two seasons, his importance to the side was still made clear.

This season, Guelfi booted 15 goals and dished out 12 goal assists from just 13 games, including a memorable display in the club’s riveting Challenge game win over the GIANTS in round nine, slotting three majors and paying homage to a befriended young cancer patient Alexis with his goal celebrations.

GM – AFL Daniel McPherson is thrilled to see Guelfi recommit to the club for another two years.

“Matt’s a popular member of the playing group and it’s great to have him on board for another two seasons,” McPherson said.

“He has shown he is an important part of our forward mix and is determined to help drive the club forward.

“‘Guelf’s had a couple of frustrating injury setbacks in recent seasons but he’s really keen to get back on the park and we’re just as excited to see what he can produce for us over the next couple of years at Essendon.”