Ryan Griffen has resisted the advances of the Gold Coast Suns, signing on for at least two more years with the Western Bulldogs.
The No.3 draft pick, who arrived at the Whitten Oval from South Australia in late 2004, said he never seriously entertained thoughts of leaving the club.
"Obviously there was a bit of speculation surrounding my future but I always intended to re-sign with the Western Bulldogs," said Griffen, who is no certainty to play for the Bulldogs in their qualifying final against Collingwood on Saturday night because of a knee injury.
"Since moving from South Australia I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and I could not be happier to stay at the club."
"I honestly believe the club has a very bright future and I am very excited to continue to play my part in a period of sustained success for the club."
"We have a great group here and I am looking forward to the future."
Griffen was also pleased to sign on the dotted line before the clash with the Magpies, who go in as hot favourites because of their superb season and the fact that the Dogs will be without Adam Cooney, Dale Morris and possibly one or two other players.
"We have a massive challenge ahead of us against the Magpies and while it was never a distraction, it is fantastic to be able to know my future at the club is secure for the next 2 years," he added.
"I just hope all Western Bulldogs fans can come out in force and really get behind us on the weekend."
With Cooney and Morris unavailable much will be expected of Griffen if he proves his fitness and plays against Collingwood, and Western Bulldogs general manager of football James Fantasia said the club is rapt to have come to terms with the star midfielder.
"Ryan has always carried a lot of expectation but in recent years he has developed into one of the AFL's elite midfielders," Fantasia said.
"He is a proven big-game performer and the club could not be happier with the fact we have secured his services until the end of the 2012 season."
"Ryan's decision shows that he has a lot of faith in the direction the club is moving in and we know that the future is bright at the Whitten Oval."
"We have seen significant development this year in our young players like Jarrad Grant, Liam Jones, Liam Picken, Jordan Roughead, Callan Ward and Easton Wood to name just a few."
"These players along with a number of others will ensure the club remains a threat for many years to come."