Jade Gresham Biography

Jade Gresham joins Essendon as a registered free agent with the Bombers receiving a pick at the end of the first round (currently No.21) as compensation.

"I'm really excited to see what this group can achieve in the future," Gresham said.

"I believe we can do something special and I'm happy to be a part of the journey ahead. Can't wait to meet everyone at the club, get stuck into pre-season and get to work for a massive 2024."

Jade Gresham will sit out the remainder of 2022 after scans confirmed a medial meniscal tear that will require surgery.

St Kilda coach Brett Ratten has barely had access to Jade Gresham in his two years in charge at Moorabbin, but he is about to get back a player who can be the difference-maker the club has been searching for.

Gresham played only three games in 2021 after rupturing his Achilles against Essendon in round three, after missing the second half of 2020 – including both finals – with stress fractures in his back.

"He's so dynamic and he's one of those players whether he's had 25 touches or 30 touches, he might only need 12 or 15 to change a game. That's something that's important. He is a game-changer who can change momentum for us. To get him out and playing will be important," Ratten said.

Jade Gresham will likely miss the rest of the 2020 season after scans revealed a sizeable stress fracture in his lower back.

Gresham experienced pain following the Saints' 59-point loss to Geelong and St Kilda chief Simon Lethlean said there was a "grumble" in his back prior to that game which had settled with an anti-inflammatory.

"He could have kept playing with that longer, which is the good part about players self-reporting these things. He could have kept playing and made it a lot worse, so they got it early," Lethlean said.

Jade Gresham signs a new four-year contract extension which will keep him at the Saints until at least the end of 2023.

"I love the club and didn't want to go anywhere else," Gresham said.

Jade Gresham is rewarded for an outstanding debut season with a contract extension that binds him to St Kilda until the end of 2019.

Gresham played 18 games in 2016, averaging more than 15 possessions a match. He also kicked 11 goals for the season (equal eighth at St Kilda) and had 10 goal assists (equal seventh).

"I've loved my time here so far, love being around the club and the boys. I've made some really close mates already, so I'm looking forward to the next few years and what the future holds," Gresham said.

"My main focus this pre-season is building my tank so I can hopefully spend more time in the midfield next season if the opportunity comes up. I'm also just looking to improve all aspects of my game so I can hopefully cement my spot in the side next season."

Jade Gresham is the round 14 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee after collecting 16 disposals to go along with eight inside 50s as well as kicking a crucial goal from tight in the pocket to cut the in the Saints' upset three-point win over the ladder-leading Cats.

Gresham, who hails from the South Morang Football Club, has continued to receive advice from North Melbourne champion and family friend Brent Harvey.

Gresham's father, Jamie, played in the Northern Knights' 1995 premiership victory alongside Harvey and the Kangaroos star has kept a close eye on Gresham's development.

"Over the last few years I've been in touch with him a fair bit and he's been there to help me out," Gresham said.

"He's really good at giving me a few tips here and there. He's been a ripper for me."

Jade Gresham makes his AFL debut for St Kilda at Adelaide Oval with 9 disposals (3 kicks and 6 handballs), a mark, 4 tackles and a goal in a 33-point loss to Port Adelaide.

St Kilda select Jade Gresham with pick No.18 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.

"He's had a fantastic year, captaining the Northern Knights and winning the medal for Vic Metro in the Championships," Saints list manager Ameet Bains said.

"He can play through the midfield, wins the footy, but can also play forward as well. He has very good skills and good speed, so he's someone who can complement us at all levels."

Saints list manager Ameet Bains says securing highly touted Vic Metro midfielder Jade Gresham at the 2015 NAB AFL Draft vindicates the hardline stance St Kilda took during the Jake Carlisle trade negotiations.

"Certainly keeping a first-round pick on a night like tonight and being able to bring a player like Jade Gresham through the door makes us feel that we were right," Bains said.