Essendon has announced Brayden Ham, Alec Waterman and Cody Brand have not been offered new deals for next season.

The trio of delistings add to a growing group of Bombers players who have departed the club in 2022, with Tom Cutlerย (delisted),ย Aaron Francisย (Sydney Swans),ย Tom Hirdย (delisted),ย Michael Hurleyย (retired),ย Garrett McDonaghย (delisted),ย Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (retired) and Devon Smith (retired) having all parted ways with the club this year.

Ham, who joined Essendon as the 72nd overall pick from the 2018 National Draft, played 45 games in the red sash.

Waterman joined the Bombers as a Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period acquisition last year and would play 22 games for the club across two seasons.

Brand did not feature at AFL level during his time at Essendon, having joined through the 2020 National Draft as a James Hird Academy graduate.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Tom McCartin of the Swans is tackled by Alec Waterman of the Bombers during the round four AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Essendon Bombers at Sydney Cricket Ground on April 08, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

โ€œWe thank Cody, Brayden and Alec for their contribution to the club over their careers,โ€ Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro said in a club statement.

โ€œThese decisions are never easy but we commend the three players on their maturity and professionalism.

โ€œWe wish them all the best for their future endeavours.โ€

The trio of delistings are offset by the incoming names of Sam Weideman and Will Setterfield, while the Bombers will carry Pick 4 into next month's draft.

The Tullamarine team also met with delisted Blue Liam Stocker ahead of the recently completed trade period.