Carlton have rewarded Bret Thornton with a one-year deal following the rejuvenated defender's strong finish to the season.
Thornton's career was at the crossroads at the start of the year after spending a lot of time in the VFL last season and only managing 12 senior games in 2010.
But the 27-year-old rediscovered some of his best form in 2011 and was reinvented as a foil in the forward line with significant effect.
He saved one of his best performances for when it mattered most in Carlton's elimination final thumping of Essendon where he soundly beat David Myers on his way to 18 possessions, 11 marks and two goals.
Thornton kicked a career-high 13 goals this season, including a four-goal bag against Gold Coast in Round 2, and averaged 16 touches a game.
Since being picked up in the 2002 rookie draft, Thornton has played 181 matches for the Blues in 10 seasons.