NORTH Melbourne has extended first round draft pick Sam Durdin's contract before he has played a game, tying him to the club until the end of 2017.
 
The Kangaroos selected Durdin with pick No.16 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft and have high hopes he will develop into a quality defender.
 
It is a show of faith in the 18-year-old from the club that reached last year's preliminary final.
 
The South Australian raised Durdin told the club's website he was enjoying his time at North Melbourne and had no hesitation in committing beyond 2016.
 
"North Melbourne has been really great for me so far and I'm thrilled to have been offered another year," Durdin said.
 
"It's been a big step up coming from the SANFL, but I've really enjoyed it."
 
North Melbourne recruited two free agents Jarrad Waite and Shaun Higgins as well as a batch of young defenders in the Draft.