Jordan Ridley Biography

Contracted Bombers defender Jordan Ridley informs the Bombers that he will be staying at the club and will not be seeking a trade to Brisbane after both parties showed interest in a potential move.

"This off-season gave me a crucial opportunity to reflect on a challenging few years with injury. During that time, it became incredibly clear that my future is with Essendon," Ridley said.

"I'm fully committed to playing my best football here. I have immense faith in Brad Scott and the direction he's taking this developing group.

"After meeting with our new high performance team, led by Mat Inness, I've been really impressed and confident we have the right strategy in place to overcome my recent injury challenges and get me back to my best."

In a letter to Essendon members, president Dave Barham says Jordan Ridley will not be traded.

"Jordan Ridley is contracted and is not for trade. We acknowledge his frustration in recent years with his body - we share these frustrations," he wrote.

Jordan Ridley is set to miss the rest of the 2023 home and away season after straining his quad in the Bombers' loss to the Western Bulldogs.

Jordan Ridley signs a new four-year deal with Essendon to remain at the club until the end of 2024.

"I'm really grateful to the club for the opportunity to extend my contract, and it was a pretty easy decision to get to," Ridley said.

"I'm really confident in where we're heading over the next few years as a group. It's going to be pretty exciting to be a part of it for at least the next four years to see what we can all do together."

After just 26 games, Jordan Ridley becomes one of the least experienced players in the Essendon's history to claim the Crichton Medal as the club's best and fairest for 2020 ahead of second-placed Bomber Zach Merrett and third-placed Adam Saad.

"This is a season in which Jordan announced himself as a key part of the club's future and he should be incredibly proud of his commitment, drive and output this year," outgoing coach John Worsfold said.

"Jordan is an unassuming, determined and driven young man who is a wonderful teammate and has commanded the respect of the playing group, and especially fellow defenders. Since he arrived at the club, his work ethic and commitment to get the best out of himself has been obvious to all."

Essendon has moved to lock down Jordan Ridley, who has become one of the club's priority re-signings after an exciting start to 2020.

Ridley has averaged 17 disposals and seven marks to become a crucial part of the Bombers' back half with his excellent disposal and intercept ability.

Jordan Ridley makes his AFL debut for Essendon at the MCG with 25 disposals (16 kicks and 9 handballs) and 7 marks in a 34-point win over Geelong.

Jordan Ridley and Dylan Clarke will both make their debuts for Essendon this week against Geelong.

"I think we both went our own way a bit in terms of just putting our heads down and getting the work done, so I think we should both be pretty proud of how we’ve been playing," Clarke said.

"To get rewarded on me and Rids' form in the VFL is really positive, so we both feel pretty good at the moment and we’re hoping to have a good impact on Saturday."

Jordan Ridley signs a new deal with Essendon that will keep him at the club until the end of 2020.

"I'm thankful to Essendon for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dreams of playing senior football," Ridley said.

"Watching Josh and Kobe make their debuts certainly motivates me and I've just got to focus on working hard, playing the role the coaches ask of me and hopefully I get my opportunity this season."

Jordan Ridley has undergone ankle surgery, sidelining him for up to eight weeks.

Jordan Ridley will be sidelined for up to three months after it was revealed he had a stress fracture in his back.

The defender experienced discomfort during training last week, prompting the Bombers to investigate.

"Jordan has a partial stress fracture in his back, which in one sense gives us a chance to let it heal because it hasn’t broken through, so we’re going to take that opportunity," Essendon high performance manager Justin Crowe said.

"He’s going to have six to eight weeks off running and then build back up into the season.

"The good news for Jordan is he really only needs to avoid impact – which means running … so he’ll be able to do a lot of weights over the next couple of months."

Essendon select Jordan Ridley with pick No.22 in the 2016 National Draft.