The 23-year-old has suffered several injury setbacks during his short AFL career at Alberton, but will have every chance to break into the club’s side in 2015 after signing the new contract.
He said an assurance from coach Ken Hinkley as he began another knee rehabilitation stint earlier this year gave him the confidence he needed while undertaking his recovery.
“It means a fair bit knowing that the coaches have the faith in me to come back from all these injuries and I want to thank all the staff, coaches and rehab boys for the support they’ve given me,” Redden told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“I sought out Ken after the most recent knee problem and he assured me that the club still had plans for me, which was a weight off my shoulders.”
Redden has incorporated cycling into his current rehabilitation program and will progress to running as early as next week.
If things progress as expected, he should be well-positioned to join his teammates at the start of the 2014/15 pre-season.
“I’ve been on the bike for the last couple of weeks and I’m hoping to start running within the next week,” Redden said.
“From there it really does just depend on how the knee holds up, but the doctors and physio have been monitoring it pretty closely.
“The goal from there is to progress forward and be fully up and running by pre-season.
“Getting the contract out the way will help me focus on the day-to-day rehab, knowing that I’m staying here, and hopefully it will be fine for next year.”
The contract extension and progression in his rehab comes at the end of a difficult 14-month period for Redden.
He had shoulder and hip surgery in June 2013, before undergoing two knee operations and being hit by a brief bout of viral meningitis this year.
His sister Alicia was also involved in a vehicle rollover on the Yorke Peninsula in January.
While she escaped with minor cuts and bruises, the driver Matthew Sinclair – a friend of the Redden family – suffered a traumatic brain injury.
To provide support to his close friend, Redden decided to continue his recent work on the bike to raise money towards securing important rehabilitation equipment that will assist Matt’s recovery.
Redden plans to cycle 220 kilometres the Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, where Matthew is a patient, to Edithburgh.
“Matthew was a young, fit, very active guy and now he’s stuck in a wheelchair,” Redden explains.
“We decided to do a fundraiser where I’ll ride over two days from Hampstead Rehab Centre where Matt is, to his hometown Edithburgh which is near where I grew up.
“We’ve cleared $12,000 and the generosity of everyone who has donated already has been unbelievable.
“My recovery has been nothing compared to what Matt and his family are going through.
“I’m hoping we can get $20,000 which would be a really good result and help us get the equipment Matt will need to help his rehab.”
READ MORE ABOUT THE MATT SINCLAIR RIDE AND DONATE
