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READ MORE - Perez earns praise from coach after AFL debut
AFTER playing the final three games in his debut AFL season last year, North Melbourne has extended Flynn Perez's contract.
The Kangaroos this week added a year to Perez's contract until the end of 2022.
A product of Sandhurst, Perez was drafted by North Melbourne with pick 35 in the 2019 National Draft.
Perez's selection by the Kangaroos came after missing all of his top-age season with the Pioneers in 2019 with a knee injury.
The 19-year-old made his debut with North Melbourne in a round 16 loss to Port Adelaide playing in defence and held his spot for the Roos' final two games against Fremantle and West Coast, which were also defeats.
"It (playing the three games) gives me heaps of confidence, especially from where I've come from... I didn't think I'd be able to play those last three games," Perez told North Melbourne Media this week.
"To get some footy in at the end of the year and play some senior footy was really good and, hopefully, it will hold me in good stead this year."
With last year's first taste of AFL under his belt, Perez's goals for 2021 start with staying out of the rehab room and on the field.
"For me it's probably just about staying on the park and staying fit. That has probably been my biggest challenge with injuries," Perez said.
"If I can stay fit and healthy the rest will take care of itself. I'm really excited about what we can do this year.
"I'm really looking forward to a big pre-season and I'm happy to put pen to paper."
The Kangaroos have a new coach this season with David Noble taking over from Rhyce Shaw.
"Nobes has been awesome. He's a real calm influence. He knows his stuff and has pretty much done everything in footy and his influence on a young group is really exciting," Perez said.
"He's going to be great for everyone."
North Melbourne will open its 2021 season against Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, March 21.
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