Hawthorn defender Changkuoth Jiath says it was “a no-brainer” to sign a contract extension locking him into the club until the end of 2024.

Jiath put pen to paper on a two-year extension this week – a fitting reward for his break-out 2021 season.

Speaking to the Herald Sun on Wednesday, Jiath said he wants to help drive Hawthorn’s next generation quest for success under coach Sam Mitchell.

The 22-year-old resumed full training this week after overcoming a posterior cruciate injury that ended his season in Round 17 last year.

“It's so exciting to be a part of this new journey at Hawthorn,” Jiath said.

“There are some different faces and some changes and you can see the kind of shift as we try to build for the next premiership. That’s why it was a no-brainer for me to sign on with Hawthorn again.

“It's where I want to be to develop my skills and my personality as well.”

Fellow defender and good mate Jack Scrimshaw has also signed a two-year extension.

Jiath, affectionately known as CJ, reeled off 16 matches last season with his explosive run and intercept skills a revelation.

“I was just having so much fun, building chemistry with my teammates,” he said.

“I think we can take that to another level, but it is nice to be recognised.”

Part of that recognition will come with a guernsey switch – from No.29 to No.9 – which he agonised over.

He wore No.29 in honour of former Hawk Russell Greene.

Greene and his wife Roxy were the host family for the Morwell-raised Xavier College graduate when he came to Hawthorn.

But after a meeting with the Greenes, and chatting to his own family, Jiath realised the significance of the switch.

“Sam (Mitchell) offered me the No.9, but it took me almost a month for me (to make the decision) because of the emotional connection I had with No.29," he said.

“Russell was explaining it was fine. He said it was an honour (to be asked to wear No.9).

“It is incredible the club sees you as being worthy of wearing the number great players such as Dipper (Robert DiPierdomenico), Shane Crawford and Shaun Burgoyne wore.”

Jiath said Mitchell, former coach Alastair Clarkson and defensive coach Chris Newman had played significant roles in his development.

“I’ve learnt a lot from Sam, he’s been fantastic for me,” he said.

“I’ve learnt to be comfortably uncomfortable, that’s where you get the most out of yourself.

“Newy, as the backline coach, has played a big part in my development.

“I loved working with Clarko too. I had a great relationship with him.”

Jiath said one moment early in the Easter Monday clash with Geelong – his 10th AFL match – convinced him he belonged on the big stage.

“It was the biggest crowd I had played in front of,” he said. “I remember one moment when I got the ball and started running.

“I heard the crowd screaming and thought I was about to get tackled so I got rid of the ball. I looked back on the vision and there was no one around me, but the crowd was sort of roaring and I hadn’t really heard that before.

“I felt the energy of the crowd. I fed off that energy. I like to run off, read the game and play freely, but you still have to defend as well.”

Jiath hopes his story – born in Ethiopia to South Sudanese parents before coming to Australia – can provide some inspiration for young footballers of all backgrounds.

“I do want to be a role model in the community,” he said.