Credit: AFL Photos “We have spoken publicly and continue: Zach’s a required player, he’s contracted to the club. So we won’t be entertaining any trade for Zach,” Welsh said in an interview on the Bombers’ website. During that time, it became incredibly clear that my future is with Essendon,” Ridley said vis the Bombers’ website. “To our members, your support is more important than ever right now,” Welsh wrote in a letter to members. He joined the Essendon board when Barham took over the presidency in 2022 as director of football governance.