ESSENDON has moved to lock down Darcy Parish's future at the club, with the Bombers opening talks to extend the first-year midfielder's contract.
The 18-year-old's standard two-year deal doesn't expire until the end of 2017, but AFL.com.au understands the club has progressed in it plans to secure him longer-term.
However discussions to extend fellow top-10 draft pick Aaron Francis's contract are unlikely to start until later this season at the earliest as the powerful utility focuses on overcoming an injury-interrupted beginning at Essendon to push towards a senior debut.
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Parish's value to the club has been enormous in his debut season, with the tenacious and dashing midfielder offering hope and promise to the Bombers in a gloomy year on the field.
He played his first game in round one against the Gold Coast before winning a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in round two, when he gathered 21 disposals and kicked a match-sealing goal in Essendon's win over Melbourne.
Parish has only missed one game since – when he was rested in round seven against the Sydney Swans – and has averaged 21 touches. He is the third favourite to take out this year's Rising Star award according to Crownbet.
The Bombers secured the Geelong Falcons product with pick five at last year's NAB AFL Draft, which was their earliest selection since taking key defender at Michael Hurley at No.5 in 2008.
Parish arrived at the club as a back-to-back under-18 All Australian who had averaged 28 disposals in the TAC Cup, and has already become a fan favourite among Essendon supporters.
While Parish has been a feature of Essendon's first-choice line-up in 2016, last year's No.6 pick Francis is yet to play at AFL level after being carefully managed through a calf injury.
The powerful utility kicked three goals, including a brilliant effort from the boundary line, in the VFL last game and is edging closer to his first senior game in the red and black.
Talks to add more years to his stay at the club beyond 2017 are unlikely to start until he gets some senior exposure.
Second-year forward Kyle Langford re-signed with the club for a further two years earlier this month, but fellow 2014 draftee Jayden Laverde remains unsigned beyond this season.
Talks are likely to ramp up for Laverde once he returns to the senior team after an eight-week layoff with a shoulder injury.
The exciting forward/midfielder kicked three goals in his first VFL game back from injury before collecting 18 disposals in his most recent game before Essendon's bye.
