HAWTHORN has moved quickly to secure exciting youngster Jed Anderson, with the 19 year old signing a contract extension in his first year at the Club.

Anderson has had a big impact for Hawthorn in his first season, impressing with his professionalism, character and commitment to building a career in the AFL.

Recruited from the Northern Territory via a trade with Greater Western Sydney, the youngster was part of a deal that saw 2008 premiership defender Stephen Gilham depart the Club and almost immediately become a favourite amongst the players, coaches and fans.

He has played six games in his debut season, including last week’s Qualifying Final win over Sydney and won a Rising Star nomination after just his third game.

He made his debut in the Round 1 blockbuster against Geelong, almost selecting himself for that game such was his impressive pre-season campaign both at training and during the NAB Cup.

Anderson couldn’t hold back his excitement at earning an extension on his current contract on Wednesday, declaring he couldn’t wait to sign.

“I’m rapt to be signing on with the Hawks again, to have the Club have the belief in me to extend me means a lot and hopefully I can stick around,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“This year has been great just to get the feel of what the Club is like and what the other players are like. Everyone here really makes you want to be here, it’s a good club to be at – I’m really enjoying it.

“The coaching staff has seen a little bit in me and hopefully I can build on that and turn it into a long career at the Hawks.

“I’m rapt and excited just to be around the Club for a bit longer and hopefully extend it on again after that. I’m looking forward to being around the Club and having a good next few seasons and keep pushing forward.”

Anderson left his family to pursue his AFL dream in Melbourne in November last year before completing a full pre-season with his new club, given he was picked up by the Hawks before the 2012 National Draft.

Leaving his family was undoubtedly tough, but being embraced by the family that is Hawthorn allowed him to feel comfortable and at home in Victoria before his family eventually made the move to Melbourne.

“Everyone has embraced me, they’ve made me feel really comfortable and made it feel like home,” he said.

“All the boys get around you, have a laugh – it’s all a bit of fun and games and then you get down to business on the weekend and want to do your best and play well for the team.”

“The move was a little bit tough at the start with my family living back home but in the end it has all worked out well.

“My family has come down and we’ve moved into our own place, it’s all going really well - it’s been great to have everyone around.

“It feels like a real family when I come to the Club and then go home to play with my son, it’s even better.”

Anderson arrived at Hawthorn as a young 18 year old with unlimited potential and before long, he became a father to son, Elijah and had, in a short period developed into a mature person and footballer capable of making an impact in a finals series.

It is the thought of his young son and partner, Nikki as well as his family that drives him to succeed and perform to the best of his ability.

“I basically play for my family because they’ve had the belief in me that I can make it and go somewhere,” he said.

“Having my son here and my partner here as well gives me something to play for, it gives me something to proceed and keep me going in how I play my footy.”

He is close too, to his brother Joe, a former Carlton player who continues to encourage him to fulfil his potential.

“He’s helped me a lot, he’s given me a lot of advice and wants to push me hard to have a big career,” Anderson said of his brother.

“He’s encouraged me to work hard on the little things because that’s where it all starts to get the most out of this whole experience.”

Part of fulfilling his potential is playing to his strengths and embracing the person he becomes when he steps onto the football field.

A shy and modest person off field, Anderson knows he suffers from white line fever and will do whatever it takes to help his teammates achieve success.

But it is the support and confidence gained from his teammates that has the biggest impact on his ability to perform to a high level in just his first year.

“As soon as I cross the line, it’s easy to be hard at it and get my voice out there - all the boys believe in me to have a voice and an opinion around the ground,” he said.

“It suits me a lot to have that impact of being hard and aggressive at the ball and it really shows out on the field with the boys and how they have the belief in me that I’ll be able to win the ball in the tough situations.”

Anderson holds nothing back on the field, a quality that has earned him the opportunity to feature in Hawthorn’s 2013 finals campaign.

He has earned the right to play and be a valuable contributor for his coaches and teammates, but that doesn’t mean he’s still not pinching himself.

“I can’t really believe it, I’m still getting over it but it’s definitely exciting and hopefully there’s more to come,” he said.

“I’ve embraced everything they’ve thrown at me and to perform well out on the field has been good and given me a lot of confidence.”