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News from the Essendon player movement
The bomber lands on McKay

Essendon have secured the services of Ben McKay from North Melbourne, with the key defender arriving at NEC Hangar as a restricted free agent.

The 25-year-old has agreed a six-year contract with the Bombers, marking the club’s second move during the 2023 Continental Tires AFL trade period.

Experienced pacer Todd Goldstein will don the red and black in 2024, when the former Kangaroo arrives at the club as an unrestricted free agent.

The 35-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the club, adding 315 games of experience to the Bombers’ roster.

St Kilda small forward Jade Gresham has named Essendon as her preferred 2024 destination. Gresham, 26, is a restricted free agent, meaning the Saints could choose to match the Bombers’ contract offer and force a trade if they are not satisfied with compensation which they are given.

Duursma is still under contract until 2024 but would be a useful addition to Essendon’s midfield if a swap could be agreed. The 23-year-old has played 16 games in 2023 for a career total of 73 since being drafted No. 18 in the 2018 national draft.

Essendon key defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has requested a move to his home state of South Australia, naming Port Adelaide as his preferred club.

Zerk-Thatcher has played 51 games since being selected with pick No. 66 in the 2017 AFL National Draft. Young defender Massimo D’Ambrosio has requested a trade to Hawthorn.

The 20-year-old has played in 16 games over two seasons since being selected with the No. 3 pick in the 2022 midseason draft.

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The AFL has officially confirmed that unrestricted free agent Todd Goldstein will continue his AFL career with the Essendon Football Club.

Goldstein informed North Melbourne last month that he would like to explore his free agency options after 315 games with the club.

“Goldy has been a loyal and decorated servant of the club so it’s naturally sad to see him go.

“It’s a credit to him that he has been able to play over 300 games at the one club and it’ll be strange to see him in different colours.

“He’s incredibly popular among our members and supporters and he’s been a great mentor for our young and emerging rucks, especially Tristan Xerri.

“We wish Todd nothing but the best in his future endeavours and he leaves knowing that Flick and his family are welcome back at Arden St any time.”

North Melbourne would like to thank Todd for his outstanding service and everyone at the club wishes him well as he embarks on a new chapter in his career.

Essendon are reportedly asking for a first-round pick in return for wantaway defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.

The South Australian is keen to return to his home state via a move to Alberton following six seasons in the red and black, with the opening of his off-contract status used to seal a deal west.

With Zerk-Thatcher not eligible for free agency, the Power will need to broker a trade with Essendon to acquire the 25-year-old’s services, however they face a hurdle in looking to satisfy a number of rivals who have players keen to move to Port Adelaide over the coming weeks.

Along with Zerk-Thatcher, Geelong’s Esava Ratugolea and Western Bulldogs ruckman Jordon Sweet have both lodged requests to move to SA and join Ken Hinkley’s group, with the Power needing to get creative to satisfy all three clubs.

Port Adelaide currently holds picks 38, 44 and 71 and might need to spit their 2024 first-round selection into multiple picks to add to their draft hand.

Geelong are said to be asking for an opening-round pick for Ratugolea, though, while Essendon are now reportedly following suit in their demands for Zerk-Thatcher.

According to Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph, the Bombers are after a first-round pick from Port Adelaide in their negotiations.

“The Essendon demand right now is a first-rounder from Port Adelaide,” Ralph told On The Couch on Monday.