Essendon has announced three new VFL signings ahead of the 2025 season, with Tyler Sellers, Domanic Akuei and Dayten Uerata set to don the sash next year.

22-year-old Sellers joins the Dons after two seasons with North Melbourne's VFL and AFL squads, where he spent 2024 on their senior list as an SSP signing and featured in two games at the highest level.

The 193cm key forward has booted 60 goals from 31 VFL games, starring for the Roos’ reserves as a primary target ahead of the ball and finishing runner up in their VFL best and fairest this season.

Sellers has also spent time training with the Dons’ AFL squad in his first weeks at the club.

Akuei becomes a Don after three seasons on Carlton’s list as a Category B Rookie, where he was the first ever player from the club’s NGA to make the senior list.

At 194cm tall and possessing an elite vertical leap, Akuei has proven himself as a versatile defender across 51 VFL games in that time, with his physical traits also giving him potential as a forward and pinch-hitting ruckman.

Born in Sudan before moving to Australia at a young age, the 22-year-old has shown promising development since his transition into VFL and AFL level, growing in stature as an interceptor.

Essendon also welcome Uerata, a familiar face who made his VFL debut with the club in their Dreamtime clash against the Tigers last season.

The 19-year-old also enjoyed a strong campaign at Coates Talent League level in 2024, where he served as Captain of the Bendigo Pioneers across 13 games for the year, continuing the Dons’ strong alignment with their pathway program.

Capable of playing as both a medium forward and midfielder at 185cm, Uerata also took more big-game experience under his belt with two appearances for the Young Guns side in their carnival outings against Vic Metro and Vic Country.

The Bombers continue to work through their pre-season schedule, now into a third week of training.