The Western Bulldogs have secured defender Zaine Cordy until at least the end of the 2021 season, after he agreed to a three-year contract extension this week.

The promising 21-year-old has become a mainstay in the Bulldogs backline and the Club has recognised his potential by moving to extend his stay at VU Whitten Oval.

“Zaine is an important part of our future and we’re thrilled to see him re-sign with the Club,” said Bulldogs General Manager of List and Recruiting, Sam Power.

“He has shown rapid improvement in the early stages of his career and we’re excited about what the future holds for him.

“Zaine is dedicated to learning and improving his game all the time. He is a respected member of the playing group and we believe he is only going to improve as he gains more experience.”

Cordy has played 38 games in his career to date, after being picked in the fourth round of the 2014 NAB AFL Draft as a father-son selection.

He was a member of the 2016 premiership team and rose to a new level as a key defender in 2017, playing 17 games, finishing equal seventh in the Charles Sutton Medal and winning the John Van Groningen Domestique Award and Scott West Most Courageous Award.

Cordy has played eight matches so far this season, averaging 13.6 disposals and five marks per game.