PORT Adelaide has re-signed another four uncontracted players with youngsters Jasper Pittard, Aaron Young, Jarrad Redden and Cameron O’Shea all committing to the club until the end of 2014.

This comes after the Power recently secured the signatures of emerging midfielder Matthew Broadbent and promising utility Paul Stewart. Captain Dom Cassisi and Robbie Gray also re-signed earlier in the year.

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Pittard has played 14 games since arriving at Port Adelaide as a first round selection (no. 16 overall) at the 2009 AFL Draft.

The 21-year-old made his debut for the Power against Collingwood in Round 1 2011.

Port Adelaide General Manager - Football Peter Rohde says the club is looking forward to Pittard having a strong pre-season after a difficult 2012 with injuries.

“Jasper has had to deal with a lot of injury over the last couple of years but no one has ever doubted his talent and how important he is to the structure of our team going forward,” said Rohde.

“We’re looking forward to him getting a solid pre-season under his belt so that he has the opportunity to develop into the player we know he can become.”

[ Related: 'I want a strong season' - Pittard ]

Pittard says he had no hesitation in continuing at Alberton.

“Port Adelaide has already given me some fantastic opportunities to develop myself and I’m now looking forward to repaying their faith in me by continually improving and playing some consistent football,” said Pittard.

“This year has been a tough year for everyone at the club but I know we’re all looking forward to pre-season and I desperately want to be part of our young group that will take this club forward.”

Young has played 11 games since arriving at Alberton via the 2010 AFL Draft as a second round selection (no. 36 overall).

The 19-year-old made his debut in Round 5 this season, in the Balfours Showdown against the Crows.

Rohde says that Young has improved significantly and he has plenty of upside to his game.

“Aaron has improved year on year as well as anyone in his short time at the club,” said Rohde.

“He has some great attributes in that he’s tough in stoppages and can win his own ball, but he also shows great poise when he has the footy in his hands.

“Physically and fitness-wise he still has a bit to work on but we always knew that he was going to take time to develop and we think he’ll be a very good player as he builds his strength and fitness base.”

[ Related: Young gun ]

Young says he’s thoroughly enjoyed his time at Alberton and he’s thrilled to have signed a contract extension.

“I’ve had a great two years since I moved across to Adelaide,” said Young, recruited from Eastern Ranges in Victoria.

“It’s a great place to live, Port Adelaide is a great football environment to learn and develop as a young player and I’ve made a lot of close friends in my time here, so I’m delighted to continue on.

“Although as a team we’ve dropped off at times this year, we’ve also had a number of promising performances and I’m very confident that our young group will stick together and supporters will see us realise our potential sooner rather than later.”



Redden has played 8 games since making his debut in the club’s thrilling Round 1 victory over St Kilda at AAMI Stadium earlier this season.

He was recruited to Port Adelaide via a fourth round selection (no. 54) at the 2008 AFL Draft.

Rohde says Redden is developing well as a ruckman and his best football is still ahead of him.

“We think Jarrad is on a very good path and he’s improved significantly over the last couple of years,” said Rohde.

“Jarrad and the club both understand that he has a lot of improvement to make, but importantly we think there’s a lot of improvement in him.

“History tells us that players of his nature generally hit their best form in their mid-twenties so we’re looking forward to more improvement from Jarrad over the next few years.”

[ Related: 'I want to be number one' - Redden ]

Redden says he’s excited about continuing his career at Alberton and he’s looking forward to working with fellow ruckman Matthew Lobbe and premiership player Brent Renouf over the pre-season to develop his game.

“I’m extremely happy to be staying here at Port Adelaide,” said Redden.

“Right from when I was first drafted I’ve loved it here and I’m really looking forward to what our young group can achieve over the next couple of years.

“We are a very close group and I’ve got a lot of great mates here and we are all hell bent on turning our fortunes around and delivering sustained success for our supporters.”

O’Shea has played 22 games since arriving at the Power as a third round selection (no. 52 overall) at the 2010 AFL Draft.

The 20-year-old made his debut with Pittard against Collingwood in Round 1 2011.

Rohde says that despite a frustrating time this season with injury, the club is very pleased with what O’Shea has been able to deliver in his first two years at AFL level.

“Cam had a great first year last season and has proven to have a fantastic work rate,” said Rohde.

“Most importantly he’s a terrific character to have around the club. Unfortunately he’s had some injury issues this season, but overall we’re very pleased with his first two years at the club and we now look forward to his continued improvement."

[ Related: O'Shea extends contract ]

O’Shea says he has enjoyed his time at Alberton ever since he arrived and he had no hesitation in extending his contract.

“I’ve really enjoyed both living here in Adelaide and playing at the Power,” said O’Shea.

“I originally came over with Youngy (Aaron Young) who was drafted from the same club and we’ve settled in well and now signed contract extensions so we’re both really enjoying our time here.

“I’m very happy to have re-signed with the club because I strongly believe it’s a very exciting time here at Port Adelaide and I can see we’ve improved from last year. I’m already looking forward to getting into pre-season as we begin to prepare for next year and beyond.”