Emerging tall Richmond defender David Astbury has signed a two-year contract extension with the Club, which will ensure he remains a Tiger at least until the end of 2016.

Astbury was in the best form of his five-year AFL career early this season, before dislocating his left kneecap in Richmond’s Round 9 clash with Melbourne at the MCG.

It was the second time Astbury had suffered a kneecap dislocation during his time at Tigerland.  He initially dislocated a kneecap in the Round 12, 2011 match against Sydney at the SCG.

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Although he’s had a wretched run with injury, the Tigers were delighted with what he displayed in the early rounds of the 2014 season, and see him as an integral part of their backline for the future.

“It’s been a bit of a process . . . but really excited to break the news, and I’m very proud to be part of this football club for the next two years,” Astbury told ‘Roar Vision’.

“It’s good to announce it while we’re still playing.  Obviously, there was a bit of uncertainty whether we’d play finals, but the boys were incredible again on the weekend.  To announce it while we’re still here, playing finals footy, is just awesome.”

Although Astbury resumed playing, in Richmond’s final VFL game this season, he understands it’s unlikely he’ll be recalled to the Tigers’ senior line-up, to play a part in the finals series.

While that is disappointing for him, personally, he’s taken a much broader view of the September action for the Tigers.

“I look at it on the other side of the coin,” he said.

“I’m so happy for guys like Chris Newman and ‘Axel’ Foley, who’ll be playing in his first final.

“They’ve been starved of finals footy for a long time, so I’m just rapt for them.”

Astbury has taken huge confidence out of the eight games he played in a key defensive role at senior level with Richmond this season.  He averaged 13.5 disposals and 5.2 marks per game, and consistently beat his opponents in crucial one-on-one duels during that time.

“I probably questioned myself before the start of this year, whether I could play consistent football at the level.  But I’d like to think I’ve proved that so far,” he said.

“Looking at the backline group going forward, obviously ‘Rancey’ (Alex Rance) has been enormous, and just been named in the All-Australian 40 (squad).  So, I’m looking forward to playing a lot of footy with him . . .

“Coming back from injury, I’ve always thought that it’d be tough to crack back in (to the team’s defence).  But I’m really proud of the boys.

“The guys that have come into the side, and taken my place, have been massive.

“We’ve got a really strong bond down there, and they’ve been a massive part of the nine consecutive wins.”

Astbury also has had his confidence levels boosted by that one game he played at VFL level late this season.

“I got three quarters of footy in against Footscray here at Punt Road.  It was awesome just to be back playing footy.  And, to play my first game here, was really good,” he said.

“I was really surprised how good I felt playing out here, and that gives me massive confidence, if nothing else, going into the off-season and pre-season.”