Essendon has bolstered its stocks ahead of summer, signing Kaine Baldwin to a one-year deal, tying the utility to Tullamarine until the end of 2024.
After becoming a Bomber during the 2021 supplemental signing period, the South Australian has earned eight senior games.
And though Baldwin would not breakthrough to cement a senior role under new coach Brad Scott, the Glenelg product was positively beaming at the prospect of going again for a third season.
โI am really optimistic about the direction of our group, led by Brad Scott and Zach Merrett, but also the urgency for improvement from many other leaders," Baldwin told Bombers Media on Monday.
โI've loved working withย Michael Hurleyย and following defenders likeย Jordan Ridleyย andย Andy McGrathย in their endeavour to improve. I'm eager to continue performing through the pre-season, aiming to play consistent senior footy next season.โ
After being trailed in several roles across the ground, at both senior and reserves level, Dons list boss Adrian Dodoro reiterated that Baldwin would continue learning his defensive craft.
โKaine has worked extremely hard this year to learn and refine his craft as a defender and has shown a lot of potential in the new position across VFL and AFL level,โ Dodoro explained.
โHe has excellent work ethic and is very mature for a 21-year-old. After multiple injury setbacks, it's fantastic to see Kaine playing consistent football and I look forward to seeing what he achieves in the future.โ
Baldwin's recommitment means that Essendon now has five names without deals for next season, with Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Jaiden Hunter, Massimo D'Ambrosio, Patrick Voss and Will Snelling all facing uncertain futures.
Though few words have been offered on the latter four, Zerk-Thatcher requested a trade home to South Australia last week, signalling his intentions to join Port Adelaide.
Essendon bid farewell to another quintet at season's end, as Alastair Lord, Cian McBride, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Rhett Montgomerie, Anthony Munkara and Andrew Phillips all departed the Hanger.
