PORT Adelaide has announced that they have signed a contract extension with exciting young talent Chad Wingard that will see him committed to the club through to the end of the 2016 season.
Wingard, 19, has played 32 games and kicked 33 goals for the Power since he was selected with the 6th pick of the 2011 National Draft..
“The most important task for our club is to maintain our list together and we see Chad as a player that is incredibly important to the future of our football club,” said Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley.
“His form this year has been first-class and he’s added so much to our team through his flexibility. Chad can play in the midfield and up forward and he has an ability to create a lot of scoring opportunities for both him and the team.
“Chad loves playing against the better sides and he certainly thrives in the environment of playing in tough, contested games.
“He doesn’t turn 20 until the end of this month and we are all aware that he still has plenty to learn and lot of development before he takes his game to a higher level.”
For his part, Wingard is excited that he will be at Alberton for the foreseeable future.
“The club has been great throughout the negotiations and I’m just thankful that they’ve given me the opportunity to stay here for at least another three years after this one,” said Wingard.
“I love it here at Port Adelaide. I’m only an hour away from my family at Murray Bridge, so this is home for me. If it’s up to me I’ll be at Port Adelaide for a long time.
“We know as a club where we are heading and with our young group the future looks exciting and I just want to be part of it and play my role for the team,” Wingard said.
Port Adelaide has had back to back triumphs over Sydney and Collingwood and will seek to make it three in a row when they take on Essendon at Etihad Stadium this Sunday afternoon.
Photo appears with permission by the Port Adelaide Football Club