YOUNG left footers Riley Bonner and Kane Farrell have become the latest to recommit to the Port Adelaide Football Club.
Bonner has agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension, which will see him stay at Alberton until the end of 2021, while Farrell has committed to the club for three years to see him remain until the end of 2022.
Bonner, 22, has enjoyed his most consistent season at AFL level, playing 19 games and averaging 18 disposals, four marks and two tackles per game.
A Rising Star nominee in 2018 playing in the backline, Bonner has found himself further up the ground at times this season, booting a career-best three goals against St Kilda in Shanghai in Round 11.
At 20, Farrell has played 12 career AFL games including seven in 2019.
The talented forward has kicked 17 AFL goals since being drafted from Bendigo at pick 51 in 2017.
“Riley and Kane have each shown improvement in 2019 and it is pleasing to have them recommit to the club at a time when we are building a strong core of young players,” said Port Adelaide GM – Football, Chris Davies.
“Riley’s ability to break lines and hit targets has been a real feature of his game this season and we see him continuing to build on his consistency in years to come.
“In his short time at the club we have seen signs of Kane’s class at AFL and SANFL level, especially in front of goal, and we are excited about his development into a small forward who can spend periods in the midfield.”
Bonner said it was an easy decision to stay in his home city at the club that he joined in the 2015 AFL Draft.
“I’m pretty happy to be staying in my home town and having another two years at a great club in Port Adelaide,” he said.
“We’ve got a great young group coming through and we’re looking to play some strong footy together.
“I’m starting to build some consistency in my game so I’m hoping to take my game to the next level and have a real impact on matches.”
Farrell – who is preparing to feature in the SANFL finals series with the Magpies – was equally eager to recommit.
“I’m really excited to get started for the next three years,” he said.
“Obviously the going home factor was there in the back of my head but the club culture, playing at Adelaide Oval is pretty cool - the fans are always so loud and just awesome, which definitely helped a lot - so it ended up making it really easy to stay, especially with how the boys get around you at training and in games and obviously the form of the Magpies recently.
“We’ve got great depth at the club and some very talented young players so we’ve got some really exciting times ahead.”