Sam Durham Explained

Sam Durham
Fullname:Sam Durham
Birth Date:9 July 2001
Originalteam:Seymour, Murray Bushrangers, (VFL)
Draftpick:No. 9, 2021 Mid season draft
Height:185 cm
Weight:84 kg
Position:Defender/Midfielder
Guernsey:22
Years1:2021 -
Games Goals1:71 (21)
Statsend:2024

Sam Durham (born 09 July 2001) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for Essendon in the Australian Football League (AFL).

AFL career

Durham was recruited by Essendon with the 9th draft pick in the 2021 mid-season draft.[1] 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.[2] Durham kicked the winning goal for Essendon with 7 seconds left, in the annual Dreamtime at the 'G match against Richmond.[3] Durham also won Essendon's Player of the Month award in August of that season, to cap off a strong season.[4]

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.[5] [6] [7] During the season, Durham also signed a 4 year contract extension with the Bombers, through to the end of 2028.[8]

Statistics

Updated to the end of 2024.[9] |-| 2021 || || 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 || || 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 || || 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 || || 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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Durham a Don. 2 June 2021. essendonfc.com.au.
  2. Web site: Menzie earns one-year deal, Durham upgraded. 19 November 2022. essendonfc.com.au.
  3. Web site: Essendon beat Richmond by one point in Dreamtime at the G, Brisbane romp to Q-Clash glory over Gold Coast. 20 May 2023. ABC News (Australia).
  4. Web site: Liberty Player of the Month: Sam Durham. 29 August 2023. essendonfc.com.au.
  5. Web site: Inside job: The changing face of the Bombers' midfield brigade. 2 May 2024. afl.com.au.
  6. Web site: “Good clubs would”: Should Dons renegotiate Durham’s contract for impressive start to 2024?. 25 June 2024. sen.com.au.
  7. Web site: AFL Round-Up: Blues here to stay, Swans set a new standard and Bombers 'bull' Durham puts league on notice. 24 June 2024. ABC News (Australia).
  8. Web site: Bombers mid locked in on new long-term deal. 26 March 2024. afl.com.au.
  9. Web site: Sam Durham. AFL Tables. 27 August 2023.