HAWTHORN has reaffirmed its faith in Tim O'Brien, re-signing the key-position youngster until the end of 2017.

The Hawks' strong and settled team has meant O'Brien has played just four senior games – all of them last year – since joining the club from Glenelg via pick No.28 in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft.

But Hawthorn recruiting and list manager Graham Wright told AFL.com.au the club had been happy with O'Brien's development over the past two-and-a-bit seasons and were rapt to secure him to a new two-year deal.

"We think he'll eventually play a lot more football for us and hopefully be in the team for a long while," Wright said.

"That said, we're certainly also hoping that Tim can get into the team at times this year and hopefully when he does he can cement a spot."

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The 193cm South Australian was drafted by the Hawks as a key forward after averaging five marks and 2.2 goals a game in the 2012 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

But Wright said O'Brien had shown this year he could also play in defence.

"He played at centre half-back for Box Hill in a VFL game recently and played quite well, so there's no doubt he can play at both ends in a key position," Wright said.

"He's probably more suited to a running role as a forward, but he's certainly got the ability to play as a key defender as well.

"He's got good speed and good lateral movement. He looks like he's got the ability to read the play as a defender but he runs really well as a forward as well."

O'Brien's manager, Tim Lawrence of Stride Sports, said his client was never tempted to move to another club that could offer him more senior opportunities in the short-term.

"When you go to a top-four club it takes time to break into the side, but the flipside to that is when you do get an opportunity to play senior football you're really well prepared for an AFL career," Lawrence said.

"You can go to a weaker club and play early – and that's not to say that that's not a good thing sometimes – but at Hawthorn you're getting really good development in a good system.

"So Tim has not had an issue with having to serve an apprenticeship in the VFL and when he gets his opportunity he'll be really ready to go."

O'Brien had a delayed start to his 2015 pre-season because of a stress-related foot injury, which Wright said had put him "a little behind the eight ball" in his bid to break into the Hawks' team early this season.

But Wright was confident O'Brien was not "too far away" from a senior recall.