For the back half of the 2023 season, Essendon and Darcy Parish’s management were locked in tense contract negotiations.
By mid-August, there was a stalemate. The two parties could not come to an agreement.
A central component of the impasse was the length of Parish’s deal. Essendon had offered five years, but his agents were resolute that the midfielder deserved six years, in line with deals handed to Harry Himmelberg at GWS and Callum Mills at Sydney.
By the time the Bombers finished their season, there was still no resolution. Parish wanted to stay, Essendon wanted to keep him. But there was no agreement.
Late on the afternoon of August 31, Essendon triumphantly announced Parish was staying at Tullamarine “until at least 2028.”
This followed accusations of "briefing" and "leaking" and weeks of back and forth.
The wording in the official club statement was fleetingly scrutinised, though most Dons fans were just happy to see the 2021 All-Australian locked away.
“We are thrilled to have Darcy commit to the club until at least 2028,” long-time list boss Adrian Dodoro told the club’s website.
“Parish Pens Five-Year Deal” was the headline on Essendonfc.com.au.
End of story? No.
SEN.com.au can reveal Parish signed a SIX-year deal until the end of 2029, not five years.
The long-term arrangement was formalised but not announced in its entirety due to the sensitive PR nature which engulfed the contract dispute.
Gerard Whateley said Parish’s management had “delusions of grandeur,” while Kane Cornes gave his verdict on Channel 9's Footy Classified.
"It could be a line in the sand moment for clubs,” Cornes said.
“If Essendon think he's (worth) five (years). They haven't pushed to six, whereas clubs like Richmond have gone seven (years) for (Tim) Taranto and (Jacob) Hopper, he (Parish) would be in the same category.
"It's a responsible deal from Essendon, they may have shaped what the rest of the competition do, because the deals for some of these players like Taranto and Hooper became out of control."
While it is technically true Parish signed a deal until “at least the end of 2028,” it’s unprecedented to use unspecific language unless there are triggers involved in the contract.
It’s understood this is a straight-up six-year deal, not a five-season contract with triggers for a sixth year.
Parish, who was Pick 5 in the 2015 draft, will be 32 when he’s next out of contract. It’s believed his deal is front ended, much like Ben McKay’s arrangement.
Essendon will say they didn't outright lie, but they also failed to tell their fans the entire truth at that moment.