I’m so happy to have been given the chance to write to all our members and supporters and be the first to tell you that I’ve just signed a contract extension.

My new deal takes me through to the end of the 2019 season which is exciting and also mind-blowing for me.

I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to be a one club player and it’s something that I have always wanted to be. My decision to stay was easy to be honest.

There is a great belief in this playing group and what we are capable of achieving. This belief comes from the improvement we’ve seen over the last couple of seasons, and the fact that we now have a more mature and mentally stronger playing and coaching group.

Our core group has been together for quite a long time (especially in football years), which allows us to have a greater understanding of how we want to play and more confidence in each other.

With one year still to go on my current deal, my intention was always to stay at North and I never really looked into Free Agency or thought about playing for another club.

I had a couple of weeks’ break from training at the start of the off-season but am now well and truly getting back into the swing of things. With only a couple of weeks left of holidays, our training program has ramped up as we have to be fit and ready for day one of pre-season. You never want to be the bloke that finishes last in a time trial.

My main reason for writing this letter was to thank all the North fans like you, who have signed up as members and have committed to the club for the long term (just like me!).

We have a very loyal supporter base and recent contract re-signings shows that our playing group shares this same loyalty.

There is something special about North Melbourne and I'm not sure if it exists at other clubs.

We are defined by our great people, many of who are volunteers, who invest in the place not to make money, but purely for the love the club.

This club has been very patient with me, and I’m sure many others would have given up. For that I am forever grateful and I will never forget it.

In 2016 we want to make the top four and win a Grand Final. There is no point sugar coating it; we all crave that ultimate glory and won’t accept aiming for anything less.

I am looking forward to the next four years and beyond and can’t wait to hear you all cheering for us and singing the song at the end of each game.