MELBOURNE midfielder/forward Jay Kennedy-Harris has signed a new one-year deal, keeping him at the club until at least the end of the 2018 season.
Kennedy-Harris has been mighty impressive in the VFL in recent weeks, averaging 33.3 disposals over the past month.
The 22-year-old is banging down the door for senior selection and could be selected in Friday night's clash against Sydney at the MCG following a 40-disposal performance in Casey's win over Box Hill.
Kennedy-Harris, pick No.40 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, has played three senior games in 2017.
"After an injury-interrupted year in 2016, we've been really pleased with Jay’s development this year," Mahoney told melbournefc.com.au.
"He's had continuity in games and although he's played mostly in the VFL, his development at Casey, particularly in the last three or four weeks has been very impressive.
"We look forward to that developing further."
Kennedy-Harris suffered three separate hamstring injuries in 2016 and failed to play a match for Melbourne, while his 2015 season was interrupted by an ongoing groin complaint.
The dynamic half-forward then broke his arm in a training mishap before the season in March. After impressing the Demons with his application over the summer, he would have almost certainly been selected for round one had he not been injured.
Kennedy-Harris has played 25 matches in total after making his debut in round one, 2014.