Red-hot midfielder Darcy Parish has opted to remain at Essendon, signing a new two-year contract with the AFL club.
The 23-year-old joins fellow star midfielder Zach Merrett, who inked a fresh six-year deal last month, in recommitting to the Bombers.
Devon Smith, Mason Redman, Harrison Jones, Brayden Ham, Nick Bryan and Alec Waterman have also re-signed this season.
Confirmation of Parish’s new deal comes after he produced yet another best afield display with 43 disposals in Essendon’s loss to Geelong last Friday night.
Taken at No.5 overall in the 2015 draft, Parish has relished a full-time move into the midfield in Rutten’s first year at the helm.
He is averaging a career-high 32 disposals and 8.2 clearances this season.
Parish was due to come out of contract at the end of this year but is now tied to the Bombers until at least the end of 2023.
“We’re building something pretty special at Essendon and it was a very easy decision to sign on again,” Parish said.
“We have a really clear plan under Truck (Rutten) and Dyson’s (captain Dyson Heppell) leadership and we’re all really determined and hungry to build on what we’ve started this year, but we know we have a long way to go.”
Essendon last played finals in 2019 and have not won a final in almost 17 years.
But the Bombers (6-9) are still in the hunt for September action this season, sitting six points behind eighth-placed GWS.
They will start favourites against Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
“It’s been a really enjoyable place to be this season,” Parish said.
“I think that is really evident to our members and supporters and we have a lot of growth in us as a developing team.
“I’m excited to continue to build my own game and to see what’s in store as we continue to develop as a playing group over the coming years.”
Parish debuted in the opening round of 2016 and has played 108 of a possible 123 games for Essendon.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
ok, I think we should. But I am nosy.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Nah because Shiel won’t be able to sign another massive money contract he’s 28 this year
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Tippa always looks dangerous to me and yeah no match up for him
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Do you mean Chris do you think we should know? I’d say no.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
Do you think we know, as is the case in the USA
Cat
Roar Guru
Why would a club desire to have multiple bigger name players come out of contract in the same year? Your logic is flawed. They’d want to stagger them. He signed for two years because it will be FA for him and he’ll have all the leverage - if I hurt free and form is maintained/improved.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Sort of I think clubs are reluctant to have multiple players on big money and long term deals. That’s the other reason parish only signed a two year deal because it expires the same year that shiels expires
Cat
Roar Guru
Will be popular until the next long term signed player gets hurt repeatedly or form drops off making them grossly overpaid and an albatross on the salary cap. It always happens. It’s cyclical.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Player movement isn’t gonna slow down, but I think the six year deal is going to grow in popularity with players like Merrett, bont, Crippa they all signed six year deals.
Cat
Roar Guru
Always an excuse. Players will leave if they feel like it for a variety of reasons. No club is immune to it.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Joey hated the Melbourne bubble and wanted out. He looks like he’s loving Brisbane at the moment and the AFL is better for it. Raz got home sick
Aransan
Roar Rookie
Fantasia followed Bassett back to Port Adelaide, Daniher was uncomfortable being in Victoria. Agents make up narratives to put their clients in the best possible light. I am not a big fan of trading, draft and develop your own players!
JamesH
Roar Guru
Nah, he had 7 goals from 8 games against the Pies before this ANZAC Day. They were a bit of a bogie team for him. Jack Madgen hadn't played on him before ;)
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
We are all guilty of “knowing” what players are on what $ at the clubs we follow Chucks and how much space we have. The reality is we don’t know as players salaries are not published. None of us know and the bits we think we know come from media who also don’t know.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Hey Rissole, maybe because he always kills the Pies when we play you skewers my perspective.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Essendon circa 2001 though that was more due to the cap not going up
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Bombers have plenty of cap space they released a similar amount to Collingwood last year. My concern is Merrett was on a heavily front ended deal so we aren’t paying him much this year
Cat
Roar Guru
Like Fantasia and Daniher? Pointless predicting what will happen based on past results. Player movement isn’t going to slow down. Some will stay, some will not. Funny how nearly everyone glorifies the one club players yet hypocritically loves their club bringing in a big free agent.
Cat
Roar Guru
To a degree yes but how much do you front load? That carries its own risks. Eventually someone has to get paid - or overpaid as happens all the time with a salary floor that is far, far, far too high.
Macca
Roar Rookie
I can't remember too many others pushing out players the quality of Treloar for nothing solely due to massive miscalculations in their cap.