Adelaide’s reigning Club Champion Reilly O’Brien has signed a four-year contract extension to stay with the Crows until at least 2025.

The star ruckman who last year won his first Malcolm Blight Medal just 37 games into his AFL career has joined a growing list of players recommitting to the Club before the start of the season.

O’Brien joined the Crows as a rookie in 2014 and served his apprenticeship behind Sam Jacobs before making his AFL debut in 2016. He assumed the mantle of the Club’s number one ruckman in 2019 when he played 18 games and added 17 last year as he cemented his status as one of the top big men in the game.

The 25-year-old averaged 27 hit-outs and nearly two contested marks per game last season as he took his form to a new level on the back of his elite running capacity.

Adelaide General Manager List Management and Strategy Justin Reid said O’Brien was a key pillar in the Club’s rebuild and securing his long-term signature was a huge boost.

“Reilly is a hard-working, highly-talented ruckman who we value enormously and that was evident in him winning the Club’s best-and-fairest and the Members’ MVP Award last season,” Reid said.

“He demonstrates all the values we want our players to display, is professional with the way he approaches his football and his influence on game day is significant.

“He is a great example of a young player who has been prepared to do the hard work to get his opportunity and once that came he has not looked back and we could not be happier to have him remain at the Club for the next four years.”

O’Brien said he was pleased to extend his contract long-term because he was excited by the direction of the Club.

“And this allows me to invest in the group and really focus on others as well,” he said.

“I’m really comfortable in Adelaide and excited with where the Club is heading, I want to be part of something special and help build that from the ground up and this is a great opportunity to do that.”

O’Brien’s signature follows Brodie Smith, Harry Schoenberg, Rory Laird, Andrew McPherson and Josh Worrell all recommitting to the Club before Round 1 this season.