Bellchambers works towards new contract
ESSENDON ruckman Tom Bellchambers wants to get the most out of the AFL’s unprecedented COVID-19 outage and lay the foundations for a contract extension.
Bellchambers is one of a host of frontline Bombers without contracts beyond 2020, but the 30-year-old has “not put much thought” into next year, focused solely on staying in shape towards the AFL restart.
“There's a lot of people out of contract and the uncertainty wouldn’t help that but I’ve been in this position enough times throughout my career,” Bellchambers said.
“I understand my destiny is in my own hands still.
“For me it’s been about continuing with the training and putting myself in a position for when we return that I’ll play some good football.
“I’m really confident I can do that and play a key part in the Essendon Football Club winning games of football.
“If I do that, the rest of the contract stuff will take care of itself. I’m not getting any younger but I still believe I’ve got a lot to offer on and off field.”
Essendon has only Bellchambers and Andrew Phillips as established ruckmen, with the highly-rated and signed fourth-year big man Sam Draper the ultimate successor.
Draper, who had a knee reconstruction last May was expected to figure prominently in 2020, having rejected lucrative advances in the off-season from rival clubs.