Trent McKenzie has signed on until at least the end of 2023, saying he is grateful for the faith the club has put in him. Image: AFL Photos.

TRENT MCKENZIE signed a one-year contract extension this week but in typical Trent McKenzie fashion, he wanted to sing the praises of another defender who recommitted to Port Adelaide instead of focussing on himself.

In a week where McKenzie extended his time at Alberton into a sixth season, the 30-year-old was thrilled to see young backman Jake Pasini join him in signing on after having his first three seasons at the club cut down by injury.

McKenzie is no stranger to injury interruptions, and said it was great to see the club keeping faith in 21-year-old Pasini.

“He’s got a lot of potential,” McKenzie said of the Western Australian. “He started the season well before going down with a knee injury, which can be hard for a young player but I can see he’s working hard behind the scenes and has put on a lot of muscle so if he can get that side of his game going then the footy stuff will develop nicely.

“As I said, he started really well and showed some positive signs so if he can get a nice pre-season, plenty of run in his legs, then he’ll have a big year. He’s got plenty of promise.”

Since making his way to Port Adelaide as a delisted free agent in 2017, McKenzie has first forced his way into the Power line-up and then made a position in the backline his own, adding 38 AFL games to the 106 he played with Gold Coast as part of the Suns’ inaugural list.

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"The club's faith in me means a lot": McKenzie extends his stay | PTV

Trent McKenzie has signed a one-year extension, keeping The Cannon at Alberton until at least the end of next year.

2022 has been frustrating for him with injuries and ill health limiting him to just six AFL games so far. But that has only added to his appetite for more game time.

“I still feel like I’ve got plenty left to give so I’m extremely pleased to extend my stay at the club,” McKenzie said of his new contract.

“(The season has) been a bit frustrating, just like the team I suppose. I haven’t had the continuity through injuries in the early days and then a bit of sickness and things that were out of my control.

“For the club to show faith in me, that shows a lot and I’m very appreciative to them, especially in the last few years where I’ve had some interrupted pre-seasons and interrupted seasons.

“I love playing at this footy club and I feel like we’ve got the group to really challenge for a flag.

“Obviously, this year hasn’t worked out but we’ve still got plenty of improvement (in us) and hopefully we can finish off these last few games and take some momentum into next year.”

Nicknamed 'The Cannon' for his booming leg, despite an interrupted season McKenzie has shown he still has plenty to give at AFL level. Image: AFL Photos.

While he has become a mentor of sorts for Pasini, the more immediate threat to his game time has been Tom Clurey with the pair having traded places in the side on and off over the last two seasons.

But McKenzie said the pair gets along really well and helped drive each other to improve.

“That’s the hardest thing,” he said. “We are good mates off the field and we work hard at training and we push each other.

“It’s obviously tough when one misses out and I’ve been on that side of the ledger and Tom has as well.

“We just try to put our best foot forward and know that if we’re challenging each other then that’s only going to be good for the group.”

McKenzie replaced Clurey in the line-up for last week’s game against Collingwood and is hoping he has done enough to hold his spot over his good mate.