Essendon star Darcy Parish has signed a long-term contract extension which will keep him with the Bombers until at least the end of the 2028 season.
The Bombers announced the deal on Thursday.
Darcy Parish in action for the Bombers.Credit: Getty Images
“I couldn’t be more excited to be a Bomber for life. I’m fully committed to this club and always will be for them giving me a chance to live out my dream,” Parish, one of the AFL’s highest-profile free agents, said.
“I have so much belief in this playing group, Brad Scott and our coaches and what we can achieve. I want to be a part of that.”
The 26-year-old was expected to feature among the most coveted free agents, but instead he chose to stay with the club who drafted him with the No.5 pick in 2015.
Parish joins Zach Merrett, Mason Redman and Peter Wright who are signed to the club until at least the end of the 2027 season.
“Thank you to the Bomber faithful for sticking by me. We love the energy and support you provide this team and I’m grateful for your unwavering support,” Parish said.
“The best is yet to come for this team and I’m really looking forward to the future and where we can get to.
“We’ve got plenty of work to do but we’re all excited by the challenge and bringing success to Essendon.”
Ross, King in line for Saints return for elimination final
St Kilda potentially will boast their strongest lineup in an injury-plagued season for the AFL elimination final against GWS.
Assistant coach Lenny Hayes said Seb Ross should return from his hamstring injury, while key forward Max King was managed for their round-24 loss to the Brisbane Lions.
Max King. On track to return.Credit: AFL Photos
Hayes added defender Dougall Howard is “touch and go” as he returns from wrist surgery.
The Saints were ravaged by injury earlier this year, but that has eased considerably of late.
“Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve probably had our strongest sides in,” Hayes said on Thursday morning.
“Again, we think with the bye, Seb Ross should be fit and available and we’ll go in nearly full-strength.”
One of the biggest boosts for the Saints late in the season has been having King and Tim Membrey working together as key forwards.
“Our young forwards have done an incredible job all year, but to get Tim and Max back together over the last couple of weeks, it looked really threatening,” Hayes said.
Hayes is revelling in St Kilda’s finals return, saying it is massive for the players and fans.
He is a revered figure at Moorabbin for his playing career and was a key figure in their agonising 2009-10 grand final near-misses.
Ross Lyon was his coach then and Hayes returned to the Saints as an assistant, along with former teammates Brendon Goddard and Robert Harvey, when Lyon came back this season.
“It’s great for the club and it’s great to be back involved,” Hayes said.
“I just think about our fans as well, who haven’t witnessed a home final for a decade.
“It’s great for them to be able to rock up to the MCG and hopefully (we) get a really big crowd there. No doubt that can play a part in the game as well, just having the Saints faithful behind us.”
Another ex-teammate Justin Koschitzke is also working at the Saints and the former players are enjoying watching Lyon in action at team meetings.
“Every now and again he’ll say some things in meetings that bring you back,” Hayes said with a grin.
“You have a bit of a chuckle. You look to one side, there’s Kosi and the other side there’s BJ (Goddard) and Harvs. We have a bit of a giggle.”
Hayes also dismissed the MCG as an elimination final factor, given they play many more games at Marvel Stadium.
“It wouldn’t matter if we played in the car park, we’d be ready to go,” he said.
AAP
