After a season with Richmond’s VFL side, Matt Dea had a point to prove.

He arrived at Essendon on the eve of the season as one of the Club’s ten additional recruits.

After making his AFL debut in 2010 with the Tigers, Dea struggled to play regular games.

He left the Club at the end of 2015 with 31 games under his belt across six seasons.

Dea was destined for a year in the VFL with Williamstown when the spots opened up on Essendon’s list.

Throughout 2016, Dea was one of the mainstays of the Bombers defence.

He played 21 games, finished ninth in the Crichton Medal count and was awarded the Most Courageous Player award.

“Matt came in as a player who had played a small amount of AFL footy,” Essendon’s General Manager of Football Operations Rob Kerr said.

“The recruiting team was always quite positive about Matt and even considered taking him through the rookie draft last year.

“Through difficult circumstances we had the opportunity to watch him up close, train and his approach was really professional.”

Dea took 15 marks and had 26 possessions against St Kilda in round nine and collected 27 disposals and took ten marks in the win over Carlton in the final game of the season.

The 24 year old finished in the top three at Essendon for disposal efficiency, marks, contested marks and intercept possessions.

“He’s a tough player and really well respected by his teammates,” Kerr said. 

“At the start of the year when we were trying to work out what the team would look like there was a strong push from players that Matt be selected in the 22 at the start of the season.

“Over the course of the season the coaches felt his disposal and decision making improved and they’ve seen enough to think he’s got a lot to offer down the track.”