Former Essendon and Melbourne key forward Sam Weideman has returned to the local football scene in Victoria following his AFL exit, linking up with junior club Vermont on a multi-year deal.
The Bombers delisted Weideman following his pair of seasons in the red and black, a stint that added to seven years with the Demons as a top-10 draft selection.
The 27-year-old played 76 AFL games during his time in the league, booting 77 career goals and ending his time with Essendon as a defender. He would claim a VFL premiership with Casey during his last year with the Demons before seeking a trade to Tullamarine.
Weideman played just one AFL game in 2024, with that appearance coming in Round 23 against Sydney, with the forward-turned-backman managing nine disposals and two marks in a loss.
One of six Essendon players delisted by the club this off-season, Weideman has turned down the option to play at the state league level for 2025, instead returning to his old club, Vermont, in the Eastern Football Netball League.
The acquisition is a major coup for the Eagles, who managed a fourth-place finish in the Premier division this year before bowing out of the opening week of finals. Weideman has signed a two-year deal with the club.
"He came down and watched a number of our games during the year, and he's really keen to come back and play for his junior club," Vermont coach Matt Adolph said in a club statement.
"It also helps with the player points situation. We're really looking forward to seeing Sam back in Eagles colours next season.
"With our young players, he can teach them forward craft and defensive tactics, bring AFL experience, as well as providing great leadership."
Weideman is the latest departed Bomber to find a new footballing home since exiting the club, with Dyson Heppell (Port Melbourne, VFL), Jaiden Hunter (Claremont, WAFL), Tex Wanganeen (Port Melbourne, VFL) and Nick Hind (Darley, BFNL) also finding new clubs.