THE WESTERN Bulldogs have continued to whittle down its list of uncontracted players, with young key defenders Kieran Collins and Lewis Young the latest to recommit to the club.
Collins, 19, has signed a one-year extension after being taken with pick 26 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft after earning All Australian honours at under 18 level.
The hulking teenager played his one and only senior game last year in round nine against Greater Western Sydney before his debut season ended early with shoulder surgery.
Young, 18, has inked a two-year extension after being selected with pick 49 in last year's draft.
The former basketballer has shown some positive signs while developing across half-back in the VFL, with his athleticism and marking standout attributes.
Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney told westernbulldogs.com.au he was delighted to extend the deals of the defensive duo that were only draft eligible by days in their respective years.
"Both Kieran and Lewis have shown some really encouraging signs in their time at the club," McCartney said.
"Kieran continues to make strides as a player, and to debut at 18 years of age as he did last season was a terrific achievement. We’re looking forward to watching him develop as a footballer.
"The way that Lewis has adapted to the AFL system after coming across from Adelaide at such a young age has been fantastic.
"On the field, he’s got exceptional speed and agility for someone his size and a reliable pair of hands."
The teenagers join Clay Smith, Marcus Adams, Tim English, Bailey Williams and Patrick Lipinski as Bulldogs to re-sign with the club in 2017.
Jason Johannisen remains the most important player McCartney is yet to get the signature of, with the Norm Smith medallist reportedly asking for up to $700,000 a season to remain with the premiers.
Stewart Crameri is out for the season and also out of contract, but coach Luke Beveridge has pledged to help the injured former Bomber get fit and win a new deal.
Key forward Jack Redpath told AFL.com.au recently he would happily sign a seventh-consecutive one-year deal if meant he could remain at the club.
The future of premiership defender Fletcher Roberts is also unclear, with the 24-year-old uncontracted and unable to establish himself in the Dogs' best 22 after six seasons at Whitten Oval.
Midfielders Bailey Dale, Josh Dunkley and Lukas Webb also fall out of contract at season's end, but the Dogs are expected to lock away the promising youngsters before their deals expire.
Inside midfielder Mitch Honeychurch is likely to seek a fresh start in 2018 after playing just 14 games across four seasons at the club.
