Young Essendon defenders Archie Roberts and Jayden Nguyen have both signed contract extensions to extend their time in the red and black.
Roberts was already contracted for 2026 but has added a further two years to his deal, so won't come out of contract until at least the conclusion of the 2028 season, while Roberts has added an extra year to his contract.
The revolving door of defenders played throughout 2025 has highlighted the importance of Roberts, who has played every game and is into just his second year on an AFL list.
Speaking exclusively to Zero Hanger mid-year, Essendon backline coach lauded Roberts' leadership qualities.
"He's got leadership written all over him," Jacobs said in July.
"You'd be hard pressed to find anyone else in the team (players) want to play with more.
"He's so selfless."
He got four games late in 2024 to give him a launchpad for 2025 and given his inexperience at senior level, it was moreso his athleticism that stood out.
From the beginning of this year, though, the sustained defensive growth has been supported by a bigger frame, allowing him to compete better, a reward for a huge pre-season.
"He has not only improved (his defensive craft) but made it a strength to the point where we're quite comfortable with him playing on any dangerous forward, whether high or deep, and he's still having an offensive impact," Jacobs said.
"It's a feather in the cap how balanced he is.
"The first time where we tested him out (deep) was when he played on Rioli against Port Adelaide, and he had some one-on-one moments isolated that really shone through.
"It gave us confidence to trust this guy to play a role while Andy McGarth and Mason Redman are up the ground, so he's been one of those go-tos and been flexible with McGrath with those matchups."
Roberts announced himself when he quelled Port Adelaide's Willie Rioli earlier in 2025, and has since been a disciplined lockdown commodity for the Bombers' coaching staff, while also providing his trademark dash.
Drafted at pick 54 in the 2023 AFL National Draft, the Sandringham Dragons graduate has quickly become adored by fans, with the sentiment going both ways.
“I'm loving my footy at the Bombers, it's been a lot of fun and I'm embracing every opportunity that comes my way,” Roberts said.
“I'm really excited about where the group is at, we're in a great spot and improving every week and I have full belief in the direction we're heading as a team.
“I've been working closely with the coaches, always looking to improve both on and off the field.
“That's something I pride myself on, constantly pushing to be better.”
Nguyen was signed as a Category B Rookie last year and became the first Vietnamese person to play in the AFL when he made his debut three weeks ago.
The small defender showed plenty matched up on star Sydney small forward Tom Papley and has remained in the team since.
His debuted followed nine VFL games where he averaged 15 disposals.
The signature is a great testament to his progress given the competitiveness for list spots at The Hangar in 2025 as a result of injuries giving plenty of out-of-contract fringe and depth players exposure.
“To have another year to live out my childhood dream is incredibly special,” Nguyen said.
“I was absolutely thrilled when I got the news.
“I'm so proud to represent this prestigious club, and I'm already keen to put in the work and hit the ground running in 2026.
“This year, Andy McGrath and the other leaders at Essendon really took me under their wing.
“They helped me grow not just as a footballer but as a person.”
