PADDY McCartin says he wants to repay the faith St Kilda has shown in him through a difficult start to his career after signing a two-year contract extension.

McCartin, who has committed to the end of 2020, has played 22 games in his three seasons, with a mix of head knocks and form struggles restricting him to just five games in a horror 2017.

Having recently returned to full training after suffering a minor foot sprain in December, there are hopes McCartin – who ran a personal best time trial at the start of pre-season – can establish himself as a key forward in 2018.    

He said he was committed to helping the Saints become a premiership contender in a new era for the club following the retirement of champion forward Nick Riewoldt.    

"I love the club and I'm excited for what the future holds," McCartin said.

"The club has invested a lot in me and I look forward to repaying their faith.

"There is a great feeling among the group and we are really hungry to take the next step this season." 

McCartin has been concussed six times since 2014, including three times through the 2016 season, and the Saints chose to sideline him indefinitely last June following a head knock in the VFL, ultimately ending his 2017 season. 

The 21-year-old spoke earlier this pre-season about the support the Saints had given him through his concussion struggles and his desire to sign a new contract and repay that faith.

List manager Tony Elshaug said the courageous youngster was an important signing as the club pushes to break into the finals for the first time since 2011. 

"He has become a really popular member of our playing group and obviously sees a bright future at the Saints," Elshaug said. 

"Paddy has shown great character and resilience in the way he has confronted every challenge over the past three years.

"His work on the training track in the latter stages of last season and throughout the pre-season has been first rate and we’re excited by the player he can become in the coming years."