CARLTON has extended the contract of gun young midfielder Patrick Cripps, ensuring the Blues can begin to build the next generation around him.

The 20-year-old, who won last year's best and fairest in just his second season, amazed football watchers with his performances and was runner-up in the NAB Rising Star to Melbourne's Jesse Hogan.

He played 20 games and led the club in contested possessions, handballs and clearances and was the Blues’ second highest disposal winner.

Cripps was contracted until the end of next year, but has now signed on until the end of 2019.

Carlton will be relieved to lock in Cripps as he shapes as a leader in the new era despite the fact he is entering just his third season of AFL football.

Cripps said he saw light at the end of a dark tunnel at Carlton and was confident the club would make significant progress in the next four seasons.

"I think we're definitely going down the right direction. Some of the young boys we've got in are very exciting talents," Cripps told carltonfc.com.au.

"It will all come down to how hard we want to work as a group and as a team and also individuals. If we can work hard and fast-track our development, you never know how long it is going to take but hopefully by then we're competing for the premiership."

The West Australian said the squad was revelling in its first pre-season under new coach Brendon Bolton and described the Blues as a "home away from home".

Cripps said he did not put too much pressure on himself but he was determined to get better despite his status as one of the game's best young players.

"It's happened pretty quick but there is a lot of hard work to get to where I want to so I will keep striving for that," Cripps said. 

Carlton has undergone a significant shift under Bolton and list manager Steven Silvagni.

The Blues had four of the first 23 selections in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, adding Jacob Weitering, Harry McKay, Charlie Curnow and David Cuningham to the list.  

Their coach has emphasised the need to create a learning environment as they embark on a long-term project to lift the club off the bottom after a poor 2015.