HAWTHORN defender Angus Litherland has been rewarded for his breakout season with a two-year contract extension.
It's the first multi-year contract for the 21-year-old West Australian, who has played from season to season since the end of his two-year deal that came with being drafted in 2010.
The backman said he was thrilled to be locked away until the end of 2016 after three and a half years as a Hawk.
"I'm happy to stay here at Hawthorn. I love the club and it's obviously such a strong club with good on-field success at the moment - hopefully we can keep that going," Litherland told AFL.com.au.
"It's been a good reward for hard work over the last few years."
From the tiny town of Ongerup, 410km southeast of Perth, Litherland admitted there was always a part of him that missed his mum and younger sister.
But after toiling away in the VFL for two full years before his AFL debut in round two this season – his first season was ruined by a foot injury - he felt a strong attachment to the players with whom he had done the hard yards.
"We've spent two or three years together plugging away in the VFL, so all of us understand where we are and are just happy for the guys who are in each week - and I guess it's good reward," he said.
"I miss mum and my little sister but apart from that, it's such a good club and you don't want to leave a club like this."
The Hawks' defensive depth has been tested this year with Ben Stratton and Ryan Schoenmakers starting the season late, Josh Gibson missing eight games and Brian Lake facing calf troubles and suspensions.
Litherland said it had been challenging to be part of the changeable set up, but he had improved with the consistent exposure to senior football.
"At the moment, I've found a little niche for myself working alongside Ben Stratton in defence and learning to play with those guys, so now we have a bit of an understanding of how each other plays," he said.
"With more time hopefully in the future we can better that understanding."
Litherland is also happy to see Mitch Hallahan, who was selected in the same draft, and former rookie Will Langford get opportunities after following similar paths to his.
"Half way through my second year in the VFL, [Geelong's] Cam Guthrie had an article in the paper where he said being part of such a good squad like his, you get a bit of time to mature and grow up behind the scenes," he said.
"Then, when you do come out and play on the big stage in front of all the fans and all the media scrutiny, you're ready to go and you don't get exposed.
"It's probably been a good thing that we've had that time to develop behind the scenes."
