Essendon VFL standouts Jared Eckersley and Cam Nyko have each re-committed to the club for the 2025 season.

Both joining the Bombers’ program ahead of the 2024 season, the pair became mainstays in the line-up over the course of this season and provided consistency in a mix of different roles for the side.

Initially from the Gold Coast Academy program and a member of the SUNS’ 2023 VFL Premiership team, Eckersley established himself as a versatile forward option for the Dons this season and booted 18 goals to finish as their leading goalkicker for the year.

Having originally been recruited as a midfield option, Eckersley’s thrilled with how he’s expanded his game and can’t wait for another pre-season under his belt with the Bombers.

“It’s an awesome feeling to sign on with the club again for next year,” Eckersley said.

Eckersley slotted in nicely as a key forward option in the back half of the season. (Photo: Essendon FC)

“Moving interstate at the end of last year was a big change for me but Essendon have been so welcoming from day one and they’ve given me a great platform to develop and improve my footy.

“The group gelled so well and made real inroads with our form, especially in the back half of the year. Continuing the build with these boys was a big reason for re-signing and I can’t wait for pre-season to kick off already.”

Sentiment is similar for Nyko, who rebounded from an injury-hit pre-season to show promising form in his first VFL experience, featuring at the level 14 times this year and averaging 15 disposals per game.

Undergoing shoulder surgery at the end of 2023, Nyko didn’t integrate into full training until the beginning of the VFL home-and-away season and worked his way into the Bombers’ team by round four, appearing in all but one game to follow.

Utilising his pace and tenacity off half back and the wing, the 18-year-old Eastern Ranges product is looking forward to taking another step forward next season.

“I’m really excited by the opportunity of getting an uninterrupted pre-season with this group,” Nyko said.

Nyko bounced back strongly from injury to play a key role for the VFL Bombers in 2024. (Photo: Essendon FC)

“Coming in ahead of this year, I was pretty keen to test myself against more experienced players and to play 14 games of VFL footy was huge, especially coming off the injury and getting my confidence back.

“I’m still pursuing that dream of getting drafted and I feel like the club’s putting me in a great position to keep on improving and building towards that goal. I loved playing with these lads this year and I’m keen to continue that next season.”

Head of Development Cam Roberts highlighted the impact of the young pair this season, who’ll be looking to continue their strong output into another season at the NEC Hangar.

“Having both Jared and Cam re-sign for next year is a big win for the program,” Roberts said.

“For very young players, they’ve picked up really invaluable exposure to senior footy in the last couple of seasons and their improvement over the course of this year showed that they’ve still got plenty of room for growth.”