PORT ADELAIDE defender Trent McKenzie has agreed to terms on a contract extension that will see him remain at Alberton until the end of 2022.
Initially landing at the club as a delisted free agent at the end of the 2017 season, McKenzie had to bide his time, playing just two AFL games in two seasons before cementing a spot in the side this year.
The 28-year-old has played 13 of Port Adelaide’s 15 games in 2020, averaging 12 disposals and five marks per match as part of one of the competition’s stingiest backlines.
“Trent’s is a story of patience and persistence,” said General Manager – Football, Chris Davies.
“He has worked hard to earn his spot in our side and it is paying off – both for Trent and the team.
“He has built some solid form for us this year, becoming one of our most consistent players and an important part of our back seven.
“Trent possesses some attributes which we think make us better as a team and we look forward to his continued contribution to our set-up over the next couple of years.”
McKenzie has now played 121 AFL games in ten seasons.
The former Gold Coast Sun is one of three re-signings by the club this week.
Midfielder Willem Drew and defender Jake Pasini have each also agreed to terms on respective two-year contract extensions until the end of 2022.
“We saw glimpses of what Willem can do at AFL level last year, when he debuted and played the first eight games of the season,” Davies said of the 21-year-old.
“He is able to play both on the inside and outside, and has a great game sense.
“We expect him to get more opportunity to play at AFL level in the coming years.
“Jake is a promising young talent and it is exciting that he has chosen to continue his time at Port Adelaide.
“He is a good mark of the ball and reads the play well. He is still young but has worked hard in his first season at the club and we look forward to seeing what he can do with more games under his belt.”
Drew was taken with pick 33 in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft from the North Ballarat Rebels and has played 10 AFL games so far.
Pasini is a 193-centimetre key position defender who was taken by Port Adelaide with pick eight of the 2019 AFL Rookie Draft from Swan Districts in Western Australia.
The trio of recommitments follow on from tough midfielder/forward Sam Powell-Pepper and leading goalkicker Charlie Dixon signing until the end of 2023 last week.
