Hawthorn has locked away Josh Ward for a further two years, after the young gun put pen to paper on a new deal keeping him in the brown and gold until at least the end of 2025.

The 19-year-old is fresh off an impressive debut season, where he played 14 games for the Hawks after making his first appearance in Round 1.

Ward wasted no time establishing himself in Hawthorn’s engine room, with the hard-running midfielder averaging 19 disposals and 3.8 marks per game.

The teenager’s high point came in Round 18, when Ward went to work at the MCG collecting 34 touches, seven marks, five tackles and goal in a sparkling performance that saw him earn a Rising Star nod.

During his final six outings in 2022, he averaged 23.8 disposals, five marks and 379 metres gained per game.

Ward’s connection to the brown and gold extends well beyond his time at the club, having grown up a Hawthorn supporter after his great grandfather played for the Hawks in the 1930s.

National List and Recruiting Manager Mark McKenzie said Ward’s contract extension is another example of the exciting trajectory that the Hawks young list is on.

“It’s really pleasing to keep Josh in the brown and the gold, he is a really important part of our future,” McKenzie said.

“Josh’s talents have been obvious since first walking through the doors here at Hawthorn, but it’s been his work ethic and relentless determination that led to him taking some big strides in his first season.

“At just 19, there’s no limit to Josh’s ceiling and we are eager to see him reach his full potential at the Hawks.”