VFL Senior 2026 VFL

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Its from last year but something to kick off the VFL season.

VFL: Bombers announce 14 re-signings

Dons lock in first group of returning players for 2026.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

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Hately and O'Neil back.

 

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From Code Sports​

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Will Bella, Essendon​

The 196cm Bella will offer a powerful forward-line presence to the Dons and some experience too, having played 42 VFL games after starting out with Gold Coast in 2021. He was a regular with Coburg in 2024 but slipped down the selection order last year, having only four matches.

Jaxon Binns, Essendon​

Controversially cast aside by Carlton with a year to run on his contract, wingman Binns has signed with the VFL Bombers and is hoping to push up to their AFL list. He played eight AFL games for the Blues, including five in 2025, having 22 disposals against St Kilda and 26 against West Coast.

Boston Dowling, Essendon​

Not wanting to rely on AFL resources, the VFL Dons were keen to get a ruckman and they landed 205cm Dowling, who last season had two games for Collingwood VFL and at local level was a force for Old Trinity in the amateurs. From Shepparton, Dowling played school football for Trinity Grammar and for Oakleigh Chargers in the Talent League. “Boston has great agility for his size, a terrific, competitive nature, and with more experience at senior level, we have no doubt he has an exciting future ahead of him,’’ Old Trinity coach and former VFL premiership mentor Donald McDonald said in support of Dowling’s VAFA Rising Star nomination in 2025.

Zac Eckersley, Essendon​

The lightly-built Eckersley is the brother of VFL Bomber Jared, who has re-signed for 2026. A member of the Gold Coast Academy, he played four games in the Talent League last year and also turned out for Surfers Paradise in the QAFL. “Very much a developing player … a strong runner who will take the game on and is decent overhead,’’ Surfers coach and former Collingwood half-forward Sam Dwyer

Sam Dwyer

Age

39

Ht

180cm

Wt

76kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.8

4star

K

7.9

3star

HB

7.9

5star

M

3.8

4star

T

1.5

3star

CL

1.0

3star

No current season stats available

D

16.2

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

8.4

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.2

3star

CL

1.2

4star

told CODE Sports.

Jake Egan, Essendon​

Egan, a 190cm left-footer from Sunbury, was the talk of the Ballarat league last year after storming to the competition best and fairest. On the back of a season in which he kicked 34 goals from 22 games, he grabbed five consecutive best-on-grounds to pip former Fremantle left-footer Brett Bewley

17

Brett Bewley

Age

30

Ht

185cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.4

4star

K

8.9

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

3.7

4star

T

2.1

4star

CL

0.6

3star

D

15.1

4star

K

9.3

4star

HB

5.9

3star

M

4.3

4star

T

1.7

3star

CL

0.7

3star

D

13.6

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

5.8

4star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.2

2star

for the medal.

Connor Evans, Essendon​

Bombers coach Cameron Joyce is keen on left-foot defender Evans, seeing something in his kicking and intercept marking. The 19-year-old is from Kangaroo Flat and spent the past two seasons with the Bendigo Pioneers, unfortunately encountering injuries, some in a serious car accident in 2024. But his talent is not in dispute; after a long absence he returned to the team in Round 17 last season to boot five goals against the Geelong Falcons.

Kristian Ferronato, Essendon​

Midfielder Ferronato, who won the Northern Knights’ best and fairest in 2023, had 26 disposals and eight tackles for Carlton against Frankston last season, the best of his nine games for the Blues. The Bombers believe he’s ready to take his football to a higher level.

Ty Kitchell, Essendon​

From St Mary’s in the Northern league, Kitchell is trying to take his football to a higher level after team-of-the-year selection and his club’s best and fairest in 2025.

Jace McQuade, Essendon​

The rangy defender was part of Greater Western Sydney’s Albury VFL hub this year and was called up to play three games. McQuade featured in Wangaratta Rovers’ 2024 senior premiership and was named in a back pocket in this year’s Ovens and Murray team of the year.

Charlie Naish, Essendon​

Naish is the son of former top Tiger Chris and was recruited from VAFA club Old Ivanhoe. The forward/onballer captained Ivanhoe Grammar to the 2023 AGSV premiership and spent 2024 with Wangaratta in the strong Ovens and Murray league.

Brandon Newton, Essendon​

A 59-goal, best and fairest-winning season with Branxholme Wallacedale in the South West District league prompted the VFL Dons to nab Newton, who had previously been a stand-out for West Gambier.

Nathan Wright, Essendon​

Queenslander Wright, 22, signed at Goulburn Valley club Benalla in 2025 and was a leading goalkicker, bagging 64 goals from 17 games, including a haul of nine against Mooroopna. The Northern Bullants called him for one VFL game and he kicked two goals against Port Melbourne. Wright had been a Queensland Under 18 representative and part of the Gold Coast Suns Academy.