AARON YOUNG will stay at Port Adelaide.
The new deal – in negotiation on the eve of the season and finalised recently – will see the converted forward remain in Power colours until the end of the 2017 season.
Young, 23, has been a revelation for Port Adelaide this year after discarding the maligned substitute vest with the dissolution of the sub rule for the 2017 season and has turned heads as a dangerous and exciting forward option for the Power.
Since earning the call up against the Adelaide Crows in the Round 2 Showdown, Young has kicked 25 goals and remained a staple of the Power line-up.
He’s been a surprise bolter, and is competing with teammate Charlie Dixon for the lead of the Power’s goal scoring, and a place in the top 10 of the Coleman Medal race.
While his contract negotiation prior to the start of the year was signed for one year, Young is excited about the prospect of keeping his spot in the Power’s best side and cementing himself on the list going forward.
“I’ve been really happy with my new role in the team and I couldn’t be happier to be staying here, I don’t want to play anywhere else,“ Young told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“We tied the contract conditions away a fair while ago, and I’m really pleased to have my future here settled.
“The support I’ve had playing in the new role has been really valuable and I’m just looking forward to keeping it going for the rest of the year.”
Young’s performance this year shows his place is as a versatile forward capable of pinch-hitting in the midfield, rather than as a permanent mid option.
Follow Youngy's take over of Snapchat today on the Snapchat app at portadelaidefc
It’s his work to solidify his position as a forward that has Hinkley excited for more.
“Youngy has been a really positive story this year and there’s still more to come from him,” Hinkley said.
“He previously played a lot of sub footy, he hasn’t played a lot of forward footy, but he’s worked very hard to get consistency in his game and has given us a really valuable option inside 50.
“I think our supporters would see the way he works hard on the field, he loves to play tough, team footy in the Port Adelaide way.”
Aaron Young has played 52 games and kicked 39 goals for Port Adelaide since his debut in Round 5, 2012.
