Essendon is believed to have re-signed star midfielder Darcy Parish for six years, not the five originally reported.
According to SEN’s Tom Morris, the club had always had Parish on a six-year deal, but decided to keep it away from the public due to “the sensitive PR nature which engulfed the contract dispute”.
Parish signed a five-year deal in August, with Essendon announcing he would remain a Bomber until “at least 2028” in their club statement.
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The decision to keep the sixth year of the contract under wraps came after Parish’s manager, Scott Lucas, blasted Essendon for “briefing” and “leaking” information surrounding contract talks.
The revelation of the additional year has left Bombers fans puzzled at the club’s management of the 2021 All-Australian, who will now be at the club until the 2029 season, not 2028 as first announced.
“We are thrilled to have Darcy commit to the club until at least 2028,” Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro said via a club statement on August 31.
When the deal was initially announced, Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes expressed his delight at the sensibility Essendon took in keeping it at five years.
“It’s a responsible deal from Essendon, they may have shaped what the rest of the competition do, because the deals for some of these players like Taranto and Hooper became out of control,” Cornes said on Nine’s Footy Classified.
“If Essendon think he’s (worth) five (years), they haven’t pushed to six. Whereas clubs like Richmond have gone seven (years) for (Tim) Taranto and (Jacob) Hopper, he (Parish) would be in the same category.
“It could be a line in the sand moment for clubs.”
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The deal is believed to be a genuine six-year contract, not a five-year with a trigger of a sixth season.
Parish has played 150 games in the red and black, which includes an All-Australian blazer in 2021, an ANZAC Day medal (2021) and 53 goals.
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
