GOLD Coast Academy product Connor Budarick has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Suns until the end of 2022.
Budarick has had a brilliant first season after being selected as a priority rookie prior to last year's NAB AFL Draft.
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The 19-year-old has locked down a back pocket position and played every one of Gold Coast's 14 games.
"It's great to get that reassurance to be able to hang around for another few years," Budarick said.
"Playing for a club that you grew up supporting, it was a childhood dream and now it’s become a reality."
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Following an impressive first pre-season, Budarick has regularly been given the responsibility of taking the opposition's best small forward, doing the job with distinction.
Budarick earned a round three NAB Rising Star nomination for his 16 disposals and one goal against Adelaide.
"At the start of the year I was hoping to have a good pre-season and then maybe debuting round one," he said.
"For that to happen and to be able to play every game since, is great.
"I’ve definitely exceeded the expectations that I had on myself at the start of the year so it’s been going well so far."
Budarick's extension follows those of fellow draftees Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson.
