Sam Durham

Durham was recruited by Essendon with the 9th draft pick in the 2021 mid-season draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/950821/durham-a-don|title=Durham a Don|date=2 June 2021|website=essendonfc.com.au}} He made his debut in round 18 of the 2021 season against North Melbourne. He collected 11 disposals in an 18-point victory.

Durham was upgraded to Essendon's senior list for the 2023 season after a season and a half on the rookie list.{{cite web|url=https://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/1244417/menzie-earns-one-year-deal-durham-upgraded|title=Menzie earns one-year deal, Durham upgraded|accessdate=19 November 2022|website=essendonfc.com.au}} Durham kicked the winning goal for Essendon with 7 seconds left, in the annual Dreamtime at the 'G match against Richmond.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-20/afl-live-scorecentre-nm-syd-wb-adel-freo-geel-bl-suns-ess-rich/102363704|title=Essendon beat Richmond by one point in Dreamtime at the G, Brisbane romp to Q-Clash glory over Gold Coast|date=20 May 2023|website=ABC News (Australia)}} Durham also won Essendon's Player of the Month award in August of that season, to cap off a strong season.{{cite web|url=https://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/1419052/liberty-player-of-the-month-sam-durham|title=Liberty Player of the Month: Sam Durham|date=29 August 2023|website=essendonfc.com.au}}

Durham again rose to new heights in the 2024 season, having his true breakout season as he was deployed as a full time midfielder and established himself as one of Essendon's best and most important players.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1119745/the-changing-face-of-the-essendon-bombers-midfield-brigade|title=Inside job: The changing face of the Bombers' midfield brigade|date=2 May 2024|website=afl.com.au}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/06/25/good-clubs-would-should-dons-renegotiate-durhams-contract-for-impressive/|title=“Good clubs would”: Should Dons renegotiate Durham’s contract for impressive start to 2024?|date=25 June 2024|website=sen.com.au}}{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-24/afl-round-up-/104011512|title=AFL Round-Up: Blues here to stay, Swans set a new standard and Bombers 'bull' Durham puts league on notice|date=24 June 2024|publisher=ABC News (Australia)}} During the season, Durham also signed a 4 year contract extension with the Bombers, through to the end of 2028.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1095131/essendon-bombers-midfielder-sam-durham-locked-in-on-new-long-term-deal|title=Bombers mid locked in on new long-term deal|date=26 March 2024|website=afl.com.au}}

Updated to the end of 2024.{{cite web|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/S/Sam_Durham.html|title=Sam Durham|work=AFL Tables|access-date=27 August 2023}}

{{Australian rules football statistics legend}}

{{AFL player statistics start with votes}}

|-

| 2021 || {{AFL Ess}} || 42

| 7 || 1 || 2 || 47 || 52 || 99 || 31 || 9 || 0.1 || 0.3 || 6.7 || 7.4 || 14.1 || 4.4 || 1.3 || 0

|-

| 2022 || {{AFL Ess}} || 22

| 20 || 5 || 6 || 140 || 161 || 301 || 91 || 35 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 7.0 || 8.1 || 15.1 || 4.6 || 1.8 || 0

|-

| 2023 || {{AFL Ess}} || 22

| 22 || 5 || 2 || 178 || 185 || 363 || 107 || 47 || 0.2 || 0.1 || 8.1 || 8.4 || 16.5 || 4.9 || 2.1 || 0

|-

| 2024 || {{AFL Ess}} || 22

| 22 || 10 || 5 || 235 || 235 || 470 || 88 || 97 || 0.5 || 0.2 || 10.7 || 10.7 || 21.4 || 4.0 || 4.4 || 6

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career

! 71 !! 21 !! 15 !! 600 !! 633 !! 1233 !! 317 !! 188 !! 0.3 !! 0.2 !! 8.5 !! 8.9 !! 17.4 !! 4.5 !! 2.7 !! 6

|}

Notes

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Essplayer}}
• {{AFL Tables}}
• {{AustralianFootball}}

{{Essendon player squad}}

{{2021 AFL mid-season draft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Durham, Sam}}

Category:Living people

Category:2001 births

Category:Australian rules footballers from Victoria (state)

Category:Essendon Football Club players

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen

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