The standard practice is for draftees to sign two-year contracts but the South Australian recruits have made a significant statement by signing for three.
List manager Tim Harrington said the three-year deals confirmed that Trengove and Tapscott were in it for the long haul.
“Given they are interstate boys we want to make them feel as though they are Melbourne players very quickly,” Harrington told afl.com.au.
“I put myself in the shoes of an 18-year-old fella coming into the AFL. If I’ve left my home state and I’m committing three years to a contract, three years would seem like an eternity for an 18-year-old.”
Tapscott and Trengove were both part of the South Australian team in last year's under 18 championships and were picked in the All-Australian team at the end of the carnival.
The pair and their families had become close well before they were drafted by the Demons.
“On draft night the Trengoves had a pretty clear understanding of where Jack would go in the pecking order but they were very interested in where Luke would go,” Harrington said.
“They were in contact with Luke’s parents the morning of the draft just to speak to them and say good luck. As it turned out he joined Jack at Melbourne.”
On-baller Trengove was drafted with the second overall pick while Tapscott, who plays as a mid-sized forward was taken with pick 18.
Melbourne’s other draftees Tom Scully, Jordan Gysberts, Max Gawn and Jack Fitzpatrick have all signed two-year deals.
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