The South Sydney Rabbitohs have announced that forwards Eddy Pettybourne and Jason Clark have extended their contracts with the Rabbitohs for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The announcements were made at today’s Return to Redfern ‘Members Only’ trial match, with Rabbitohs Ticketed Members in attendance hearing the news first. Pettybourne, who turns 22 this week, has committed for a further two seasons after rejecting plenty of interest from other NRL Clubs to remain a Rabbitoh. Pettybourne is entering his fourth season in the NRL, having played 32 NRL games in South Sydney colours. He hopes to earn higher honours with the New Zealand Kiwis after being a late inclusion in the Kiwis’ Four Nations squad at the end of last season. Clark, 20, has also re-signed for two further years after making his first grade debut late last season. Clark has been the Rabbitohs’ Toyota Cup captain for the past two years and also captained the Rabbitohs in today’s Return to Redfern match. Both players are South Sydney juniors, having come through the junior representative teams to play for the Rabbitohs. Pettybourne says he is pleased to be staying with his junior Club. “I’m really happy to be extended my contract here for two more seasons,” Pettybourne said. “I really enjoy playing with this group of players and I’m looking forward to improving as a player over the next few years at Souths. “This year is an important year for me and the Club, and I will be doing everything I can to make this Club successful.” Clark says he is fulfilling a dream by playing for South Sydney “It’s fantastic that I have been able to extend my contract at the Rabbitohs for two more years,” Clark said. “I’ve always wanted to play first grade for the Rabbitohs and to be able to achieve that now is wonderful. “Making my debut last year was a big thrill and I’m working hard to try and get a spot in the first grade team for 2010. “I can’t wait to play in front of our Ticketed Members today at the Return to Redfern game, and it’s a huge honour to be captaining the side today.” Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson believes Pettybourne and Clark are the future leaders of the Club. “We’re very happy to have Eddy and Jason extend for two more years,” Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson said. “Both of these guys have shown they have what it takes to have long careers in the NRL and, as South Sydney juniors, we want that to happen in the cardinal and myrtle. “Eddy has proven himself to be one of the finest young forwards in the game over the past couple of seasons, as is evidenced by his selection in the New Zealand squad last year. “Jason is one of the young leaders at this Club and I’m sure we’ll see him flourish now that he is training full time alongside other leaders like Roy Asotasi, Luke Stuart, Michael Crocker and John Sutton.”