Essendon has bolstered its midfield stocks with the selection of Sam Durham from Richmond VFL via pick No.9 in the 2021 NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.
Durham, 19, was first eligible for the draft in 2019 as a NAB League player with Murray Bushrangers.
He has taken his game up a few notches with the Tigers in the VFL this season, including a 23-disposal effort in round one against Sandringham across wing and half-back.
A versatile size and shape, Durham is predominantly an outside midfielder with strong skills.
Essendon national recruiting manager Rob Forster-Knight said Durham had been on the Bombers' radar for several years.
"We were really excited to call out Sam’s name. We’ve tracked him closely the last couple of years," Forster-Knight said.
"He originally came from Murray Bushrangers and played well there, and then obviously the COVID year struck. This year we thought he really developed his game playing for Richmond in the VFL.
"He’s had really nice attributes all along, but especially this year in a wing and half-back role.
"What we really like about Sam are his skills. He’s a two-sided player, versatile and agile. He can play half-back, a lockdown role and on the wing."
Forster-Knight said the Bombers "wouldn't put a ceiling" on what Durham could achieve this season, with injuries to midfielders Dylan Shiel and Jye Caldwell opening up spots.
"We think he can come in and potentially play games this year," he said.
"Originally he’ll be an outside midfielder. He’s got a little bit more to development to go in terms of his development and strength, so he’s got plenty of upside.
"He’s just got to come in, build relationships and get to know our game-plan. I think he’ll fit in pretty well in terms of the system that 'Truck' (senior coach Ben Rutten) has created."
The Bombers unlocked a second selection (No.22 overall) in the mid-season draft after injured veteran Michael Hurley was placed on the inactive list, but chose to pass.
Forster-Knight said the recruiting team ultimately wanted more options with the list at the end of the season.
"We didn't have a big list (of potential draftees) that we went to the draft with. We just wanted to target some specific needs, and if the players were available that were on our list, we had that second selection there," he said.
"(In the end) we thought we wanted to keep the options open at the end of the year as well. We want to have some flexibility with our list at the end of the year."
SAM DURHAM'S BIO
Position: Midfielder
Height: 185cm
Weight: 75kg
DOB: July 9, 2001
Recruited from: Richmond VFL
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