Young Hawk Blake Hardwick has put pen to paper, signing a two-year contract extension to remain at the Ricoh Centre.

The re-signing is the icing on top of a breakout season that saw the 21-year-old finish runner-up in Hawthorn’s Peter Crimmins Medal Count.

Hardwick was also named the club’s ‘Most Promising Player’ after averaging 16.4 disposals, 4.6 marks and 4.8 one percenters across his 24 senior appearances.

GM-Football Graham Wright said the club is delighted to have secured the youngster’s signature ahead of the Christmas break.

“We’re thrilled to have Blake recommit to the club until 2021,” Wright said.

“Blake has become an integral part of our defensive unit and, at 21 years old, we believe he could be a future leader of our club.

“His development over the last 12-18 months has been commendable, so we can’t wait to see what more he can produce in the brown and gold.”

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Selected with Pick 44 in the 2015 National Draft, Hardwick made his AFL debut in Round 19 the following year.

He quickly became a regular fixture in the Hawks’ line up and was recognised with a Rising Star nomination in his second season. 

At the end of 2017, Hardwick was honoured with the No.15 guernsey, made famous by departing premiership captain Luke Hodge.