Emerging GIANTS defender and NAB AFL Rising Star nominee Sam Taylor has extended his contract with the club until the end of 2020.

Taylor joined the club with pick 28 in last year’s draft and made his debut in round 11 against the Crows in Adelaide.

He has played eight games so far this season and looks set to be available for selection for the GIANTS’ elimination final against the Swans after overcoming a hamstring strain that sidelined him for the last three matches of the regular season.

The softly spoken 19-year-old has impressed with his willingness in the contest, taking on the likes of Adelaide’s Darcy Fogarty, Hawthorn’s Luke Breust, Brisbane’s Eric Hipwood, West Coast’s Jeremy McGovern and Gold Coast’s Sam Day in his first season.

He earned the club’s only Rising Star nomination this season in just his sixth game after an important role in the GIANTS’ win over the reigning premiers Richmond in round 17.

GIANTS List Manager Jason McCartney said it was another endorsement of the culture of the club with Taylor joining fellow first-year players Zac Langdon, Aiden Bonar and Nick Shipley in extending their contracts before their first season is out.

“We were firstly pleased to be able to secure a player like Sam in last year’s draft and credit goes to the entire recruiting team for identifying him as a great fit for our club,” McCartney said.

“Sam’s come along in leaps and bounds this year and in a short space of time has become an important member of the GIANTS’ defence. 

“Most importantly, he’s a great person and we love that he’s committed himself to the club for another season on top of his original contract.” 

Taylor said he was delighted to put pen to paper to extend his time with the GIANTS.

“My first season at the club has been a huge learning experience and I’m excited to hopefully be a part of my first finals series and see what we can achieve over the coming weeks,” he said.

“With the support from the club’s welfare team, conditioning staff, coaches and my teammates it’s been a really easy move over from Perth and a smooth transition to AFL footy.

“I’ve loved my first season in GIANTS colours and can’t wait to see what the next few years have in store.” 

All five of the GIANTS’ draftees from last year - Bonar, Brent Daniels, Taylor, Langdon and Shipley - have played senior football in 2018 with all except Nick Shipley (injured) vying to be part of the club’s third consecutive finals campaign.