PORT Adelaide youngster ChadWingard has extended his contract, keeping him at Alberton until at least theend of 2016.
The Power's most excitingplayer is in All Australian form in only his second season after being selectedwith pick No. 6 at the 2011 NAB AFL Draft.
Wingard has taken amassive leap forward in 2013, increasing his average disposal count from 13 agame last year to more than 22 a match this season.
The 19-year-old hasbooted 33 goals in 32 games, but has averaged almost two per match this year.
Port Adelaide coach KenHinkley said Wingard's presence at the club was vital for its future.
"The most importanttask for our club is to maintain our list together and we see Chad as a playerthat is incredibly important to the future of our football club," he said.
"His form this yearhas been first class and he's added so much to our team through hisflexibility.
"Chad loves playingagainst the better sides and he certainly thrives in the environment of playingin tough, contested games.
"He doesn't turn 20until the end of this month and we are all aware that he still has plenty to learnand lot of development before he takes his game to a higher level."
Wingard, whose family lives an hour's drive from Adelaide, was still contracted until the end of 2014.
He said the motivation to re-commit so soon was simply so he wouldn't have to worry about it later.
Wingard didn't believe his manager had fielded offers from rival clubs, but even if they had been on the table, he wouldn't have looked at them.
"That's not something I'm interested in," he said.
"I love it here, I'm comfortable and I like the direction of the club – I love the pride, I love the history and, again, I'm stoked.
"I just wanted to get it out of the way because football's the main thing for me, I'm just glad I got another three years.
"I'm only an hour away from my family at Murray Bridge, so this is home for me. If it's up to me I'll be at Port Adelaide for a long time."
Wingard's decision to re-sign contrasts starkly with fellow first-round draft pick Ben Jacobs' call to leave the Power last year and join North Melbourne.
While the 'go home' factor played a part in Jacobs' return to Melbourne, Wingard said his decision to stay at Alberton reflected the wider desire of the playing group.
He didn't have to be convinced to re-sign and he said his teammates felt the same way.
"If you want to stay and be a part of this club, they will – you’ve got to have a want factor, you don't want to convince someone to stay.
"That's what's so great about the club, most people want to stay here.
"They can see where we're going and they can see what they can be a part of."
Harry Thring is areporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.
