Kangaroos mid-season draftee Jacob Edwards has inked a new two-year deal with North Melbourne.
The Arden Street club announced the signing on Friday, with the 18-year-old now locking away his future until the end of the 2023 season.
Edwards was taken with the first overall pick in June's Mid-Season Rookie Draft and is yet to feature for David Noble's side while balancing school life.
AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft Pick 1: JACOB EDWARDS (North Melbourne)
FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/AixazkGQum pic.twitter.com/wo8HknrQkN
— Zero Hanger (@zerohanger) June 2, 2021
Speaking on the announcement, Edwards stated his excitement to have penned a new deal with the Kangaroos.
โ[Iโve] only been there [at the club] for a couple of weeks in the school holidays, but Iโm very lucky I got that extra two years and canโt wait to get started,โ Edwards said, per the club's website.
โItโs really exciting for me โฆ I have another two year opportunity to show what I have and obviously [Iโm] just hopeful to play a game of AFL next year, but even if I have the opportunity in the VFL next year, itโs obviously still a good opportunity.
Straight into on day one at the club for Jacob Edwards.
He'll be training full-time with the team for the next three weeks during the mid-year school break ๐ช. pic.twitter.com/iQFWvPOa8F
— North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) June 22, 2021
โIโm always going to show confidence in myself โฆ I donโt really want to shy away from any opportunity I get.โ
Meanwhile, Essendon youngster Kaine Baldwin has signed a one-year rookie extension to remain at Tullamarine.
The South Australian teenager joined the Bombers in March via the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period and has battled a long history of injuries in his road to making an AFL debut in the future.
โIโm absolutely stoked to be here next season,โ Baldwin told the Bombers' website.
Kaine Baldwin nailing some snap shots pic.twitter.com/hpFvHNYuCL
— Lunchtime Catch-Up (@LunchCatchUp) June 30, 2021
โItโs been a long journey to get to the position Iโm in now, but the faith the club has shown is really driving me to prove I belong at this level.
โWorking with forwards coach Dan Jordan has been a huge boost for my development and Iโve loved learning from โTruckโ (Ben Rutten) and the rest of the coaching group.
โI canโt wait to get back on the field really soon and doing what I love, which is playing football.โ