The Power has secured young defender Paul Stewart’s future at the club, with the 20-year-old signing a new two-year deal to keep him at Alberton until the end of 2010.

Stewart has played six games since debuting in Round 1 this year, with a neck injury ruling him out of the past two games.

The gutsy defender was drafted from Woodville-West Torrens with pick 23 at the 2006 National Draft, where the Power also nabbed Travis Boak, Robbie Gray, Nathan Krakouer and Justin Westhoff, who have all penned new deals with the club this year.

Port Adelaide General Manager – Football Operations Peter Rohde said it was great to have signed another player from the 2006 draft class.

“Paul has shown a lot of improvement from 2007 to 2008 and we’re hoping to get him back in the side pretty quickly so he can finish the year off well,” Rohde said.

“He’s very courageous, he reads the game well and he’s got the ability to play both tall and small – he’s a very flexible player who can play a number of positions.

“We drafted him as a 19-year-old and we found him from outside of the normal U18 program. We’re always looking at the SANFL to give guys like him an opportunity. It’s a credit to him that he’s gone from playing local footy a bit over three years ago, then to the SANFL for a year and now onto our list.”

Stewart, who turns 21 next month, said he was pleased to have signed a new deal with the Power.

“I couldn’t be happier at the moment,” Stewart said.

“There are some exciting times ahead at the club with the young group of players that are coming through. It’s a good group of people down at the club and great coaching staff, so it’s just a great environment.

“There’s a real strong bond with all the players and it’s a real team atmosphere, so that made the decision easier.

“My main focus is just to play consistent footy, whether that’s at SANFL or AFL level, but over the next couple of years I hope to consolidate a spot at AFL level and really show what I can do to help the club out.”

Stewart officially announced his new contract at a Power Community Youth Program visit at Salisbury Park Primary School this afternoon.