Jase Burgoyne has secured his future for a further four years at Port Adelaide, with the 21-year-old signing a contract extension this week. 

The last two years have been breakout seasons for the father-son selection, shaping his game from developing defender to reliable winger. 

Speaking with the Adelaide media on Thursday, Burgoyne discussed his decision to stay at Alberton, his family ties to the club, and his friendship with out-of-contract Saint Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera. 

Burgoyne on making the decision to sign on 
“It's probably been a long time coming at this point. But yeah, I'm obviously pretty excited for another four years. We've got a good group and I think I'm pretty excited for what we have to offer for the next four years. So I'm looking forward to it.  

“Obviously four years, that's a big contract, I'd say. And being from Adelaide, obviously that's something that I was happy with. Obviously, my family and friends are here, and yeah, I was happy to stay. For them to give me that four years obviously shows that faith in me, and they believe in what I can do. So I'm very happy.” 

Burgoyne on taking his time to extend 
“I just wanted to play footy this year, really, and just enjoy my footy and just let my manager handle the contract stuff, and it was a bit dragged out (but), I was happy with the end of the day.  

Burgoyne on his family ties to the club 
“It’s extremely special. I had dad in my ear a fair bit as well. So me and him were talking about (the contract) a fair bit. And obviously, my uncle Shaun played here as well. And, you know, my brothers that have come through SANFL and AFL as well. So to keep adding to that legacy for the next four years, it's going to be pretty special. 

“When you're young, you're just a kid and you look up to all the players. And I always wanted to be around the club when I was little, especially when dad was playing. Me and my brothers would come in and we’d have fun over here and jump in the pool on hot days and stuff. So now to be playing, it's obviously changed a little bit. Not so much a fan anymore, but now as a player, I'm so happy to be at this club, and they've given me the opportunity.” 

Burgoyne on whether he considered other offers 
“I'm not too sure about any other clubs. Obviously, like I said, I just played footy and my manager did the talking there with list managers and stuff. But for me, it was a pretty easy decision to stay on and choose Port Adelaide. I'm from here and friends and family (are here), so, I wasn't too sure about (offers from) other clubs.” 

Burgoyne on having Josh Sinn and Miles Bergman sign last week 
“Yeah, I think it gave me a lot of confidence to sign on, you know, even more than I already had. Obviously, we had Miles who’s such a key part of our team now, and he's had such an amazing year. And obviously there was a lot of speculation about him going and for him to stay for two more years. And then, Josh, who's probably my best mate at the club, he’s signed now for another two years as well. I'm really excited for what they can bring in and the other young talent we have coming through as well, who I think can add a lot to this group.” 

Burgoyne on whether he talked contracts with housemate Josh Sinn   
“We actually didn't really speak about it. I think maybe a week before he re-signed, he said, ‘oh yeah, I think I'm about to re-sign’. And then I was like, ‘well, then I better get rolling’. Obviously it’s good to have him around. And yeah, I'm excited to have him around the club as well for two more years.” 

Burgoyne on his own form this year 
“It's been okay. I think it's probably not to the standard that know I can get to, and I think everyone knows, when I'm playing my best footy, how good I can be and how much I can help this team. So this back half of the year, I’ve really got to knuckle down and try to get my best form back. It instills confidence in me knowing that the club still has faith in me to give me this contract as well. But yeah, like I said, I think that if I can get back to my best footy, that will go a long way in helping this team win.” 

“I do have high standards for myself, and the way I critique myself now compared to last year has changed a lot. And when I come into games, I want to be the best player on the field. And  obviously, most times, it's going to be hard to be the best player on the field. I think just for me going forward, I think getting the confidence back, and like I said, the players and the coaches instill confidence in me.” 

Burgoyne on his preferred position 
“That’s the question everyone asks me. Obviously I’ve had chats with Kenny and Josh about where they want to play me, where do I want to play? And what's best for the team. And obviously we have such a good group of backs down there that, halfbacks and whatnot, like Josh (Sinn), Kane (Farrell), Connor’s gone down there, Miles (Bergman) and Lachie (Jones), and you look at the wing, we sort of don't have as much, I guess, talent there, so they put me there. But I'm happy to play both roles, and I do know that I probably play my best footy off half-back, but the team does need me to be on the wing. I'm happy to play both positions. And, you know, I'd be happy to keep playing a split between both in the future as well.” 

Jase Burgoyne on Ollie Lord 
“Yeah, he played really well on the weekend in the SANFL, I think he had five goals. Yeah, he's a competitive beast. And you know, he definitely makes our team better when he's flying. And Luko and Mitch, they're probably not the biggest and (don’t) crash packs and stuff. So you know when (Ollie’s) up and about, that's something that he can bring to the team and do for us. So I definitely know he's hungry to get back in the team, and whether that be this week or that be next week or whenever that is, I'm sure he'll take his opportunity.” 

Burgoyne on good friend Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s future 
“That’s a good question. You know, he's undecided at the moment, and he's going to do what's best for him and his family. So whether that be to come here or stay at the Saints, I back him in to make the best decision he can. I'd love to have him here. I think all the boys would love to have him and the fans, because he's such a talent, and he could push us further into the contention of a premiership. So I'd love to have him here. 

“From what I've been told, he's still undecided obviously, but like I said, I think everyone would love to have him here. He's such a good player. His decision that he's going to make, it's got to be what's best for him, so, but hopefully that's here.” 

Burgoyne on his friendship with Wanganeen-Milera 
“We're extremely close. You know we talk every day, every time he's back in Adelaide, we’re catching up, you know, a bit of Yo-Chi here and there obviously, which was pretty funny when that got out. But we're pretty much like brothers, so it'd be pretty good to have him at the club. 

“He's already got links, obviously, his uncle played here. Not only that, but I think growing up, he was around the club a little bit. There's a photo going around of me, him, you know, we had Kozzie (Pickett) here as well. We’d go in the indoor facility and kick the footy around. So he's actually been around the club a fair bit when he was younger as well. I said to him, think about we're going to have fun here, you’ve got me, Horny (Jason Horne-Francis) here as well. And he knows some of the other boys as well, like Josh (Sinn), but it's obviously a serious job, AFL, but I said to him just think about the fun we could have as well. 

“We've known each other since we were, like seven or eight. Sort of grew up around footy together. And then obviously we did the state pathways, you know, state sixteens and Aboriginal Academy and Aboriginal footy carnivals and stuff. It’s good to see his development as a player and a person. It's really good to see. He's always been good, but I never thought he'd be this good. He’s unbelievable, like, the things he can do, and he can play multiple positions as well. So he’s pretty damaging. And in my eyes, probably a top five player in the comp.”