Essendon VFL has retained the services of key defender Will Hoare for the 2025 season.

After an industrious second half of the 2024 season, the emerging 24-year-old has committed for a fourth year running with the Bombers’ VFL squad, where he’s established his spot as a key pillar in their back six.

The 197cm defender has spent periods of time across the last two years with the Bombers’ AFL squad in training but has been officially involved as a potential SSP selection this pre-season.

If Hoare doesn’t earn the Club’s final senior list spot, he’ll still be returning to the VFL squad as a contracted player.

Debuting with the VFL squad in 2022, Hoare has gradually elevated his game over the course of two seasons with more state-level experience, managing four games in 2023 before enjoying a breakout this year with 16 appearances.

Often paired with AFL defenders such as Lewis Hayes, Hoare has become a rock-solid one-on-one defender due to his aerial talents, which have also allowed him to flourish as an interceptor, averaging more than three intercept marks per game last season.

Swung from defence into the forward half at times when Zach Reid returned from injury, Hoare also provided a healthy target in attack, utilised as a strong-marking high forward.

Hoare registered 10 marks in each of the back-to-back wins against Collingwood and Port Melbourne this year and finished his campaign with a stellar effort against Coburg in the final round, taking 12 marks from 17 disposals.

Hoare joins a long list of re-signings from last season’s VFL list following their rejuvenated conclusion to the campaign that held six wins from seven games.

Dale Tapping’s squad wrap up their pre-Christmas block of training with an extended squad this week, slated for an early January return.