Hayden Young has signed a massive four-year contract extension that will see him remain at Fremantle until the end of 2027.
The deal adds to his current contract tying him to the club until the end of 2023, now committed to the club for an additional four years.
Young was Fremantle's first pick in the 2019 NAB AFL Draft at pick no.7, a draft that also saw the club take Caleb Serong (no.8), Liam Henry (no.9) and Michael Frederick (no.61).
The Victorian has battled through injury in his 21-game career including a season-ending ankle injury in 2020 and a hamstring injury last year.
With this contract extension, Young is now the Dockers' most committed player for the long term, and the 21-year-old says it was an 'easy decision'.
"Iโm really invested in the Footy Club, Iโm really passionate about the direction weโre heading and I really want to be a part of it," he said.
"Perthโs home now, so I feel really comfortable here. Iโve really enjoyed my football over the past three years. Iโve felt the support from the Club, and the broader Freo community have really made me enjoy living here and enjoy playing for this football club.
YOUNG โTIL โ27 โ๏ธ
Hayden Young has penned a mega deal, signing on until 2027! โ๏ธ#foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/3AHYPNka0D
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) May 27, 2022
"Now I feel itโs my turn to give back to the Freo family and play some good footy over the next couple of years."
The halfback has enjoyed a stellar season thus far, playing a key role in Fremantle's highly touted defence, a role that is sure to strengthen in the next few years.
"Itโs pretty weird to think that far ahead at this rate, Iโm just trying to be the best half backer I can possibly be for the team and hopefully, I can play my role each week and keep winning games," Young said.
"In the future my role might change, hopefully I can add some new strings to my bow and develop in different areas, but at this point Iโm just focusing on this year and having a good season.โ
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The Dandenong Stingrays export finds himself sitting in a talented group of defenders, who he gives credit to and stays optimistic about their future.
"Thatโs one of the parts of extending that I was most excited about - coming up with a young group of players that are already playing a lot of footy. It looks like itโs going to be an exciting future together," he said.
"Guys like (Heath) Chapman, (Jordan) Clark, (Brandon) Walker just to name a fewโฆtheyโre young backmen that Iโve had great fun playing alongside over the last year. I feel a lot more confident running out with those three because theyโre all a lot quicker than me! If Iโm ever going to chase someone, I know theyโre going to get the job done.
"I feel our strengths all complement each other and together, weโre a pretty strong unit."
David Walls, Fremantle's Head of Player Personnel said the club was thrilled to have the dedicated young star recommit, especially with the importance he holds.
"Itโs how committed heโs been to improving his own football in the time heโs been with us, and then just how much heโs poured into Fremantle, what weโre trying to achieve and what weโre trying to grow. Heโs a vital cog in that," Walls said.
"Heโs in, heโs committed and we were able to get something done pretty quickly. Weโre thrilled to have Hayden locked away until 2027 and be a Docker."
A future positional change was also flagged by Walls, who said he could see Young push up the ground.
"Hayden is tough and has scope to develop and play other roles," he said.
"I think thereโs definitely scope to push him through the midfield, which he did a little bit at junior level, and also onto the wing as well, where he can really use his overhead game, his ability up and down the ground and obviously his left foot kick."
