Emerging tall forward Matt Taberner says his best years are ahead of him and that’s good news for Freo fans, with the 22 year old extending his stay at the club until the end of the 2017 season.
Taberner extended his contract by two years, is one of two recent recruits, along with Connor Blakely, to have re-signed on with the club this week.
The 198cm forward is among a developing group flagged as Fremantle’s next generation.
“I’m very happy to be here for the next couple of years,” Taberner said.
“I’m looking forward to it.
“There is a good group of young players my age, I look forward to developing here and I think it’s a good place to improve my football.”
Taberner is an example of the success of the Rookie Draft, after coming to the club at pick 11 in 2012, he has played 26 games since his debut in round 13, 2013.
The Murray Bushrangers product said Perth now felt like home.
“I’ve enjoyed it ever since I’ve been here, I feel like I’m at home now,” he said.
Taberner is learning from some of the best forwards in the competition including six-time All Australian Matthew Pavlich, Hayden Ballantyne, Chris Mayne and Michael Walters
“They’ve been fantastic,” he said.
“We work as a group and manage to take a lot of things from Pav, where to lead and different little things.
“I’m just trying to fit in there.”
Fremantle’s general manager of player management Brad Lloyd said Taberner was an important key position player on the club’s list.
“He has got a really strong running capacity and is growing both physically and as a player,” he said.
“It’s great for the playing list to have a key forward like him coming through the ranks.”