All three joined senior coach Mick Malthouse at a media conference at the Lexus Centre on Thursday to make the exciting news public.
Pendlebury, as previously revealed on collingwoodfc.com.au just prior to round 10, has signed a three-year contract, tying him to the club until the end of 2010, while Thomas and Shaw have both penned two-year deals.
“It’s fantastic. It’s a vote of confidence in the club, and it’s terrific for the boys to be wanting to be part of it,” said Malthouse.
‘These blokes are going to be the foundation stones of what we develop in the future.”
Thomas, meanwhile, while delighted to secure his immediate playing future, explained the bond developed by the many in-form youngsters certainly influenced his decision.
“Obviously very happy to have signed and got it out of the way, the way things are going I’m very happy to be here for the next couple of years and hopefully beyond,” Thomas said.
“All the young players who have come in, the first year players, have really played well and we’ve all gelled well together. Heath’s been one of the keys down back and he’s only 22, so the ability of us young players to gel has really helped out the side.”
All three players have appeared in every game so far in season 2007, and have been integral to the success of the side.
Shaw has taken his game to another level in 2007 after finishing fourth in the EW Copeland Trophy voting last season, with his ANZAC Medal performance in the rousing victory over Essendon a season highlight, while Thomas and Pendlebury have developed into key players after strong debut seasons in 2006.
Thomas played his best game of the year in the memorable victory over Sydney last week, booting four match-winning goals, while Pendlebury is one of the favourites for the prestigious AFL Rising Star award, having been nominated in round four.
