MELBOURNE has locked in exciting first-round draft pick Clayton Oliver until the end of the 2019 season.
Oliver has made an exceptional start to his career after being pick No.4 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, making his debut in round one and playing six of the first eight games.
From Mooroopna and the Bendigo Pioneers, Oliver has averaged four kicks and 14 handballs a game in 2016, getting in-and-under to win the ball for the Demons.
Oliver, who turns 19 in July, told the club's website it was a good feeling to have his future secured until 2019.
"It was a very easy decision. My manager said 'just go with it' and I did," Oliver said.
"I thought I'd get it out of the way and get it done with because I was going to sign eventually."
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His signature shows his faith in the future direction of the club and adds to the talent Melbourne has locked in until the end of 2017.
Although Jack Viney, Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Dom Tyson, Christian Salem, Jesse Hogan and Angus Brayshaw are yet to play in the seniors together they have all showed their quality at AFL level.
Out-of-contract youngster Tom McDonald has also shown he could be a cornerstone of the Demons' defence and developing forward Sam Weideman is yet to play a senior game but has played good football in the VFL.
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Demons football manager Josh Mahoney said Oliver had shown the same characteristics this season that caused Melbourne's recruiting team to draft him in last year's draft.
"We are very happy that he has agreed to extend his original two-year deal and we look forward to watching his development over that period and beyond," Mahoney said.
"We will continue to manage his loads at training and games this year, as he learns to cope with the demands of AFL."
Oliver, who earned a NAB Rising Star nomination in his debut game in round one, said he was enjoying the journey.
"It's been a massive whirlwind ride and it's great to know I'll be with the club for a few more years," he said.
