LACHIE Whitfield – the No. 1 pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft – has signed a new deal with Greater Western Sydney that will keep him at the club until the end of 2016.

 

Whitfield has played 18 games in his first season for the Giants, averaging 17 disposals and receiving a nomination for the NAB AFL Rising Star Award.

 

The 19-year-old midfielder from the Victorian town of Mount Martha joins fellow No. 1 draft picks Jonathon Patton and Tom Scully in renewing his commitment to the Giants.

 

Whitfield said he was rapt to sign a long-term deal.

 

"I’m loving Sydney and loving what the club is providing for me," he said.

 

"I’m really excited about the future here at the Giants with the new headquarters (at Sydney Olympic Park) on track to be ready for next year, which will give us first-class facilities to train and prepare in.

 

"Leon Cameron has done a lot for me this season and I’m looking forward to continuing to develop my game under him."

 

Giants chief executive David Matthews said the news was a great endorsement of both the fledgling club and the game's expansion into western Sydney and Canberra.

 

The Giants host Richmond at Skoda Stadium on Sunday in Kevin Sheedy's last game as coach in Sydney.