Essendon’s David Zaharakis has re-signed with the Bombers. “His running power and skill level makes him a central part of our midfield group for not only this season, but pleasingly the next four years as well.”, LIVE stream every game of the first week of the 2017 Toyota AFL Finals Series on FOX SPORTS. This season the midfielder is averaging career-highs in disposals (26 per game), marks (five per game) and inside 50s (five per game). Senior Coach, John Worsfold, said Zaharakis sets a great example for his teammates. 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Zaharakis — a lifelong Essendon supporter — would have been a free agent this year but instead committed to the club that drafted him in 2008. View Other Player Profiles "Getting tagged was a bit of a struggle last year but hopefully maybe with a couple more players back this year it might get turned around and we can share it this year.". “He’s a lifelong Essendon supporter and it’s great to see him continue his commitment to the Club. SIGN UP NOW >>. “Essendon has been such a significant part of my life for a long time. Essendon coach John Worsfold said he expected the midfielder to continue to perform at a high level for the duration of his four-year contract. “Last year he carried a significant workload in the midfield and played an important leadership role, not only supporting Brendon Goddard, but also mentoring his younger teammates. Zaharakis has averaged 25.9 disposals and 4.9 inside-50s per game, while he’s also kicked 11 goals. Zaharakis was drafted with Pick 23 in the 2008 AFL Draft and has since gone on to play 169 games for the Bombers. The three-year contract extension Zaharakis signed in 2014 will expire this season, but the 26-year-old said he hadn't made any decisions about when discussions would ramp up with the club. The midfielder is looking forward to being out on the field with some of his oldest teammates again after they return from their season-long anti-doping bans. The 27 year-old said he is proud to secure his future with the Club but knows the hard work is just beginning. “David’s preparation is elite so it’s no surprise he’s been such a consistent performer over a long period of time,” Worsfold told the club’s website. “It’s fantastic to get the contract finalised on the eve of what will hopefully be a very exciting finals series for us,” Zaharakis told the club’s website. Zaharakis is among a number of important Bombers who fall out of contract at the end of this year, including champion midfielder Jobe Watson, young pair Darcy Parish and Orazio Fantasia, and leading goalkicker Joe Daniher. The deal will see Zaharakis remain at the Club until at least the end of the 2021 season. AFL Statistics Home: ... Contract Status: UFA at the end of 2021 AFL Player Contracts. David Zaharakis of the Essendon Bombers profile and AFL statistics. The deal will see Zaharakis remain at the Club until at least the end of the 2021 season. AFL and club access members will have free general admission entry to those matches in which their club is competing (subject to availability, upgrade fees may be applicable). Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. “His running power and skill level makes him a central part of our midfield group for not only this season, but pleasingly the next four years as well.”. “We’ve been starved of finals success for such a long time, so it’s time for action and we hope all the hard work, effort and commitment we’ve put in this year pays off over the coming weeks. And James Kelly is open to joining veteran Brendon Goddard in playing on, with the former St Kilda star next week officially hitting a trigger clause for 2018. The midfielder said he was looking forward to taking the Bombers towards finals success. I've really been focusing on training, so exploring the market is something that some players do and some players don't, but I'm very happy being at the Essendon Football Club," he said. Catchup on all the latest action from the, League announces heat policy for AFLW matches, League confirms heat policy for AFLW matches. Zaharakis will qualify for free agency (likely as a restricted agent) at the end of this year, his ninth at Essendon after 147 games since making his debut in 2009. The 27-year-old has enjoyed one of his finest seasons yet in red and black after having a tough season in 2016. "To be honest [exploring free agency options] hasn't even come into my head. “He’s had a slightly different role this year which he’s adapted to really well. Zaharakis wore the brunt of opposition attention at times last year, including being heavily tagged for the first time in his career, and will welcome back Watson, Dyson Heppell, Brent Stanton and David Myers to share the midfield load in 2017. We actually don't know who did that," he said. “As a playing group we’re committed to ensuring this Club gets back to where it belongs, and the talent and dedication within the playing group provides me with great confidence about the future direction.”. Hooker, 31, was dropped for the Bombers' last match. July 14, 2017 6:30pm DAVID Zaharakis will join the list of Essendon re-signings after finally being offered a new deal. Essendon midfielder David Zaharakis has signed a three-year contract extension with the club, tieing him to the Bombers until the end of 2017. LISTEN TO THE ROUND 23 REVIEW FOX FOOTY PODCAST BELOW, OR TAP HERE TO SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES, “As a playing group we’re committed to ensuring this club gets back to where it belongs, and the talent and dedication within the playing group provides me with great confidence about the future direction.”. List and Recruiting Manager, Adrian Dodoro, said Zaharakis is entering the prime of his career. Source: AAP “I changed it up a little bit, changed a few things, did more work on the track and it paid off. Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce David Zaharakis has signed a new four-year contract. Last year was focused more on developing relationships with young kids and really trying to develop them along and take away from your game a bit," he said. I want to stay here and be an Essendon Football Club player.".