Collingwood believes youngster Paul Seedsman has the ability to become a regular senior player in 2013, with his promise rewarded with a contract extension quietly agreed to earlier this year.

The 20-year-old's contract was extended by two years in just his second AFL season, meaning he'll remain in the black and white until at least the end of 2014.

With 11 senior games now behind him since his AFL debut in round one, Seedsman has set himself up to attack his third season next year. 

"We thought he played some really good footy," Collingwood football and opposition analysis Rodney Eade told collingwoodfc.com.au.

"He just needs his body to get stronger and learn about AFL footy, and the only way you're going to learn is by playing.

"He got in some good games this year and played well against Sydney up there in round 20, which was a pretty tough game.

"He's got some good run and carry and we'd like to think he can become a regular in our team pretty quickly."

Seedsman played his football in two patches this year. There were five games in the first seven rounds, and then a run between rounds 17 and 22 where he didn't miss.

He fell out of the team after the Pies' loss to West Coast in round 22, and failed to regain his spot for the rest of the season.

Earlier in the year, he felt he had learned some valuable lessons after having a heart-to-heart with vice captain Scott Pendlebury during the Pies' mid-season break in Port Douglas.

"[Going back to the VFL] re-emphasised that you're not gifted games - you've got to earn them," Seedsman told collingwoodfc.com.au in August.

"I probably got caught not being too happy with myself but not putting in the required work.

"It wasn't until mid-season when we had a break, went up to Port Douglas and had a few meetings with a few different people and that sort of opened my eyes.

"I thought I was doing more than I actually was."

He said Pendlebury's words had helped him get back into the senior line-up and hold his spot for the consecutive chunk of games he managed before the season's end.

"He's one of the most professional at the club so I tried to take on board things he did and put it into my game," Seedsman said.

"I'm improved massively in recovery - that was one area I really locked down on and asked what he did, watched what he did and I've tried doing that myself."

Jennifer Witham is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.