ST KILDA has locked in supremely talented young gun Jade Gresham for a further four years.
Gresham, who was due to come out of contract at season's end, has signed up until the end of 2023.
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It's a huge coup for a club that is coming off a four-win season but has already matched that tally in 2019, despite a spate of injuries that have decimated the talent available to coach Alan Richardson.
Drafted at pick No.18 in 2015, Gresham has developed from a small forward with brilliant goal sense and nimble footwork to a full-time midfielder with classy foot skills and a hard approach at the football.
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He has played 69 games, having missed just four since he was recruited, and is averaging 21 disposals and a goal thus far this campaign.
The 21-year-old has produced some glorious moments for Saints fans, including a brilliant match-winning snap that snapped a three-month winless streak against Gold Coast in 2018 that might have saved Richardson's job.
GRESHAM! #AFLSunsSaints pic.twitter.com/2398DFAWHZ
— AFL (@AFL) June 16, 2018
It is understood Gresham wanted to see how the club rebounded after a dismal season before making a decision and he told reporters at RSEA Park on Thursday it was an easy decision to make.
"I guess there was a little bit but I didn't really think about that too much. I love the club and didn't want to go anywhere else," Gresham said.
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Richardson was stoked to have the deal done.
"He's going to be a ripper, Gresh. Our fans love him, his teammates loves him, I certainly love him. It's exciting news," Richardson said.
Star wingman Jack Billings remains unsigned beyond this season but Richardson was unperturbed.
"That's heading the way we'd like it to," Richardson said.