DAVID Hille will play on in 2013 after signing a one-year deal to remain at the Bombers.
The ruckman's signature came on Tuesday, only hours after Essendon announced a one-year deal for small forward Alwyn Davey.
Hille, an unrestricted free agent, had been contemplating his future for almost two months after being offered a one-year deal by the Bombers.
The 31-year-old's commitment is important for the Bombers, who would have been left with only two genuine ruckmen - Paddy Ryder and Tom Bellchambers - on their list had he retired.
Free agency moves
Joe Daniher, who is 201cm, will join the club through the NAB AFL Draft but is being earmarked as a key forward, not a ruckman.
Hille played nine games in 2012, struggling with a calf injury and spending several weeks in the VFL. He returned in the last round of the year and performed well against Collingwood.
"My hunger, desire and passion to compete at the highest level is as strong as it has ever been," Hille said.
"My body feels really good and I'm looking forward to the challenge and hard work of the upcoming pre-season. As a playing group we've come a long way together and I want to make sure we continue down that path."
He has played 193 matches since making his debut in 2001.
Davey's future at the club had also been in some doubt, having remained unsigned.
The 28-year-old's form spiked at the start of last season when he booted 22 goals in his first nine games.
He didn't manage to recapture that form after a two-game suspension mid-season, but still finished second in the club's goalkicking award with 29 goals from 17 matches.
"Essendon is like a home for me, and I'm really happy to be at the club next season," Davey said.
Coach James Hird said Davey's consistency had improved and that he saw the speedy half-forward as playing a valuable role next year.
"We were really pleased with Alwyn's overall performance last season," Hird said.
"Alwyn is really important part of the way we structure our forward line; he not only provides us with great speed and forward pressure but he also has the ability to apply scoreboard pressure."
The pair's signatures mean Essendon has only a few players remaining without deals as the end of the Gillette AFL Trade Period approaches.
Experienced trio Ricky Dyson, Sam Lonergan and Brent Prismall are still without contracts for next year while Nathan Lovett-Murray, Kyle Reimers and Michael Ross are also yet to pen new deals with the Bombers.
Follow Callum Twomey on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey.
