PREMIER Essendon midfielder Brent Stanton has extended his contract with the club for a further three years.

Stanton was the biggest of seven names to re-sign with the Bombers, who announced the news as part of a social media strategy.

Ben Howlett, Courtenay Dempsey, Michael Hibberd, Alex Browne, Luke Davis and Ariel Steinberg were the first to be named.

The club revealed the new contracts as fans joined their Facebook page and 'liked' a blurred photo of the seven re-signings.

The strategy is similar to one employed by Hawthorn earlier this year in which they announced seven re-signings in seven days.

But the Hawks announced their contract renewals on their club website while the Bombers are using the popular social media site.

Stanton, 26, has been a consistent performer since making his debut in 2004, with his three year extension set to see him remain a Bomber until the end of the 2015 season.

The hard-running midfielder said he was pleased to commit to the club.

"[I am] very excited (about the new deal) - this football club means a lot to me and I really believe in the direction this footy club is going and you can see the improvement that we've made in the last couple of years," Stanton told the club's television program The Hangar on Wednesday night.

Stanton has played 177 games with Essendon since he was drafted at pick 13 in the 2003 draft.

"Brent is always looking to get better, he has been top five in the best and fairest for the last five years and we are really pleased that he has decided to re-commit to the club and us re-commit to him," Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said.

"He is a highly motivated person who trains as hard as anybody at the club.

"He is a player that we think just keeps getting better and the coaches have done a fantastic job working with him this year."

Dons coach James Hird believes the seven’s commitment is a sign the club is moving in the right direction.

"Internally there’s no doubt we hold this group of seven players in high regard ... we feel this group’s commitment is a show of faith in the game plan and goals we have set ourselves as a club," Hird said.

"We know we still have a lot of work to do, but I think this playing group has the belief and talent, and I think our members and supporters should be excited about the direction Essendon Football Club is heading."

Howlett re-signed for a further two seasons, ensuring the midfielder will remain a Bomber until the end of 2014 season.

Hamilton said Howlett deserved to be rewarded for his hard work.

"Ben has done it the hard way, he became a rookie with us, got elevated from the rookie list and now earns himself a two year contract which is really pleasing for him," he said.

"He is a really good consistent player, you know what you get from Ben and he is always going to give you his best every single time he takes the football field.

"He has been such a consistent player for us since coming into the side, we just love the consistency that he shows on a week to week basis."

Howlett has played 56 games with Essendon since making his debut in 2010 after being elevated from the club’s rookie list.

Originally from Western Australia the 23-year-old has become as an integral part of the Essendon side.

Dempsey, 24, has signed a new three-year deal.

"We think Courtenay is an improving player who is on the up and continuing to improve the way he goes about his football with the help of the coaches," Hamilton said.

"His form in recent weeks has been exhilarating and we know he can potentially be a really good player for us.

"The run he has been able to create off the wing and half back, with his sublime skills has made him a favourite of the fans."

Hibberd, a mature-aged recruit from Frankston, has signed a two-year deal.

"Michael has a big future, so we were happy to give him a two year extension and we think he will be happy to repay the faith that the club has had in him," Hamilton said.

"He has been a little bit of a surprise packet since he has come onto the scene and our supporters love him."

Davis, 19, was taken in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, but has yet to make his debut.

"Unfortunately Luke had a run of injuries this year but we saw through his pre-season that he has got some real potential so we were very keen to extend his contract for another year and see what he can deliver in 2013," Hamilton said.

"He started the year in really good form and I think he would have been pressing for a senior spot."

Browne has played five games for the Bombers, including the last two after he was drafted with pick 48 at the 2010 draft.

Hamilon said the club had high hopes for the 20-year-old.

"He can take the game on, use the ball, run with it and he has some exciting attributes so we think with another big pre-season in 2013 should be a big one for him," Hamilton told the Essendon website.

"He is playing senior football in his second year and I think all our supporters have seen first hand some of his capabilities and strengths."

Steinberg arrived at the Bombers via the same draft and is yet to make his senior debut.

Hamilton said the Bombers were prepared to persist with the Mildura native.

"We have given him another year for him to show us what he can deliver," he said.

"We believe he has a real lot of upside and we are keen to get a full pre-season into him and activate a lot of the potential we believe he has."