Essendon has secured the services of promising young ruckman Sam Draper for two more years.
The 19-year-old, who only started playing football in February last year after switching from soccer, said he was already looking forward to the preseason and pushing for a senior debut.
"I'm thrilled to commit to Essendon for another two years," Draper told the club's website.
"We have a great group of players who are driven towards achieving success, we've built a great environment to develop and learn, and I'm eager to get stuck into training and keep learning over the preseason.
"I believe the club is heading in the right direction, and that motivates me to keep challenging myself and working towards and AFL debut."
Coach John Worsfold said he had shown plenty of promise in his first year.
"We are really happy with the progress Sam has made this season," Worsfold added.
"With the hard work he put in all year, towards the end of the season he was playing well in the ruck in the VFL and proved to be a tough competitor for the opposition.
"At only 19, and with the progress he's made he's shown that he has the drive and ability to develop into a player that can compete at AFL level."
The 203cm ruckman was taken with the first pick of last year's rookie draft.
