Small forward Brandon Matera has signed a three-year contract extension with AFL club Gold Coast.

Matera, who has made an injury-marred start to his career, will remain with the Suns until at least the end of the 2017 season.

“I’m really confident that I know my body well now. That probably hampered me in the first two seasons,” Matera said.

The 22-year-old has booted 18 goals in eight games this year, helping the Suns rise to fourth on the ladder with a 7-2 record before Sunday’s clash with the Crows in Adelaide.

“Brandon is an extremely important player for us and is someone who has developed enormously, both on and off the field in recent years,” Suns list manager Scott Clayton said.