Up and coming 2019 draftees Riley Garcia and Louis Butler have signed one-year contract extensions with the Western Bulldogs until the end of 2022.
Bulldogs list manager Sam Power said the club have been "pleased with what [they've] seen from Riley and Louis in the early stages of their careers as Bulldogs," - per the club's website.
The two players were among a list of first time players who were part of the Queensland hub system during the 2020 COVID-19 Victorian lockdown and impressed in their handling of the situation.
โThey handled the challenges of a different first year in the system โ in the Gold Coast hub โ really well and have continued to develop nicely this season,โ Power added.
20-year-old medium forwardย Garcia arrived at the Bulldogs in 2019 as pick 62 in the 2019 NAB AFL draft and made his AFL debut in Round 11 this year against the Demons.
It's been a long road for Riley Garcia, but he's ready to make his long awaited debut.
You know Sonny will give his all ๐ pic.twitter.com/utaSN9ywkZ
— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) May 27, 2021
He spent his first year on the AFL list with an ACL injury and gaced injury setbacks during the 2021 pre-season, however has gone on to play three more games with the Bulldogs following his debut.
โRiley has overcome some challenges with injury and itโs been great to see him get a run of games under his belt,โ Power said.
โHe is competitive, clean below his knees and has played some strong VFL football to force his way into the AFL side.โ
19-year-old Butler was drafted at pick 53 in the 2019 NAB AFL draft and made his debut for the Bulldogs in Round 4 last year.
The crafty midfielder has played a total of three games at senior AFL level including one senior game in 2021, and has impressed with his form at the VFL level.
๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐: Louis Butler
Making a strong early impression, Butters details how all the hard work during the AFL shutdown paid off.#MightyWest pic.twitter.com/XnG2xBOq1J
— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) November 20, 2020
โLouis has displayed some consistent VFL form in 2021,โ Power said.
โHeโs only had the one senior opportunity so far this year but has spent more time on a wing and impressed with his ability to cover the ground, win a lot of the ball and hit the scoreboard.โ
Garcia will feature for the Bulldogs in their Round 18 clash with the Suns this weekend.