Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce, Zach Merrett, has agreed to a three year contract extension which will see him remain a Bomber until the end of 2021.

The new deal caps off an impressive season for the 20-year-old who was recently crowned the 2016 Crichton Medallist.

Merrett said the Club’s bright future made it easy to sign on the dotted line.

“I’m really excited about the faith the Club has shown in me, and it’s great to have secured my future at Essendon for the next five years,” Merrett said.

“The Club is really well placed with John at the helm. We have established a really strong culture, and with the inclusion of the ten boys, we can’t wait to get on with business and train hard over the pre-season.

“Team success is why we play the game, and I’m really looking forward to working hard and gaining as much experience from people both inside and outside the Club to help the team achieve our vision.”

Merrett stood tall in the Essendon midfield this year averaging 30 disposals per game, ranked fourth in the league for pressure acts and turnovers forced, sixth for pressure points and eighteenth for tackles.

He was also elevated to the Club’s leadership group and became the third youngest Captain in the Club’s history when he took over the responsibility from the injured Brendon Goddard.

Senior Coach, John Worsfold, said Merrett had played a key role in driving the elite culture of the Club.

“Zach was our most consistent performer this season, he showed outstanding leadership and played some exceptional football this season,” Worsfold said.

“He is well-respected by his team mates, is extremely professional in his preparation and has a hunger to improve and develop with each game.

“It’s exciting to see Zach commit to the Club long term, he is an important part of our future and we look forward to watching him grow as player and leader.”

List and Recruiting Manager, Adrian Dodoro, said the young Bomber’s outstanding season was an exciting sign of things to come.

“In just his third season at the Club, Zach is regarded as one of the most exciting young midfielders in the competition,” Dodoro said.

“He has a crafty intuition for the game and constantly drives the highest standards for not only himself but the entire playing group.

“It’s young players like Zach who give our fans great hope that the future of our football club is heading in the right direction.”

Merrett was selected with pick 26 in the 2013 National Draft from the Sandringham Dragons. He made his debut in the red and black in Round 1, 2014 against North Melbourne and has since played over 50 AFL games in his three seasons with the Bombers.