CARLTON ruckman Matthew Kreuzer has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at Visy Park until the end of the 2012 season.

Kreuzer, 20, was the first overall pick at the 2007 NAB AFL Draft and quickly made his mark in the AFL. He made his debut in round three of the 2008 season and has not missed a match since, impressing with his ability to lead the ruck division at such a young age.

"We are delighted that Matthew has committed to continuing his career with Carlton," football operations manager Stephen Icke said on Monday.

"He is an outstanding young man and has shown in his first two years in the AFL, where he has had an immediate impact at Carlton and in the competition, that he has a sensational career in front of him."  

Kreuzer's career tally of 43 games includes last year's breakthrough finals appearance which ended a drought that began after the club's last final in 2001.

The promise of more finals action to come and the club's new training facilities that will open officially this month were chief among the talented big man's reasons for signing the new deal.

"I have really enjoyed my first two years at Carlton and believe it is a fantastic time to be at the club," Kreuzer said.

"Obviously the improvement on the field and playing a final last year was great and I look forward to playing more finals and enjoying success with everyone at Carlton.

"Together with the sensational new facilities at Visy Park certainly makes Carlton a great place to be."

Kreuzer was voted the club's best first-year player in 2008 and was also a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee. He backed that up last season by finishing fifth in the club's best and fairest count.

Meanwhile, banished trio Eddie Betts, Ryan Houlihan and Andrew Walker resumed training at Visy Park on Monday after completing their month-long bans for their alcohol-fuelled pre-Christmas indiscretions.

However, they remain ineligible for selection for the Blues' NAB Cup sides.