HAWTHORN has extended the contract of promising 19-year-old Jed Anderson.

Anderson joined Hawthorn during last year's trade period as part of a deal with Greater Western Sydney that allowed the Hawks to grab the Northern Territory zone selection.

Anderson made his debut in round one against Geelong, showing pace and class on his way to a NAB Rising Star nomination after round three.

He played the first three games before taking a break and then playing VFL for Box Hill.

He has played since round 22 and was the substitute in Friday night's qualifying win against the Sydney Swans, taking a great mark and kicking a nice goal when he came on.  

Anderson told the club website he was pleased to recommit to the Hawks.

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"I’m rapt to be signing on with the Hawks again, to have the club have the belief in me to extend me means a lot and hopefully I can stick around," he told hawthornfc.com.au.

"This year has been great just to get the feel of what the club is like and what the other players are like. Everyone here really makes you want to be here. It's a good club to be at – I'm really enjoying it."

Anderson was given a break early in the season after he had a son, Elijah. Now he feels more settled.

"The move was a little bit tough at the start with my family living back home but in the end it has all worked out well. My family has come down and we've moved into our own place; it's all going really well. It's been great to have everyone around.

"It feels like a real family when I come to the club and then go home to play with my son, it's even better."

Anderson arrived at Hawthorn as an 18-year-old with unlimited potential and quickly developed into a mature person and footballer capable of making an impact in a finals series.

It is the thought of his young son and partner, Nikki, as well as his family that drives him to succeed.

"I basically play for my family because they've had the belief in me that I can make it and go somewhere," he said.

"Having my son here and my partner here as well gives me something to play for. It gives me something to proceed and keep me going in how I play my footy."

His brother Joe played 17 games for Carlton between 2007 and 2010.