Jason Akermanis has ended months of speculation surrounding his future by signing a new one-year contract with the Western Bulldogs.
The agreement means the triple premiership player will enter his 16th league season next year despite at one stage claiming 2009 would be his last.
The potential of playing in a flag with a Western Bulldogs side that came perilously close to a grand final appearance this year and which now has a genuine key target up forward in the form of Barry Hall appears to have proved too strong a temptation to resist.
"I am just excited to go again for another 12 months, it's a real bonus," Akermanis said.
"You are retired for a long time and I still feel I can play a valuable role for the team up forward and at times on the ball."
It's understood that Akermanis has accepted a significantly reduced pay packet for 2010 as the Bulldogs had initially planned for next year's player payments without the veteran in their plans.
"Football has never been about the money, it has been about the thrill and enjoyment of winning, that is the most important thing for me," he said.
"I believe that this team has a lot of success in front of it and despite the fact that it is such a hard game, I still have the passion to play AFL."
"I want to help the club take that next step."
The 2001 Brownlow Medalist demonstrated this year that he is still more than capable of being a significant contributor, kicking 43 goals and averaging just under 20 disposals in his 24 appearances.
Western Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia praised the extension of the veteran's stay at the club.
"Jason has been a fantastic acquisition for the Western Bulldogs since he debuted for the club in 2007 and we are rapt that he has decided to go on next year," Fantasia said.
"He has a wealth of experience and still has the ability to turn a game off his own boot."
"Jason has also developed into a fantastic mentor for our young players which is important as we continue to develop our group."
Akermanis, who will be 33 by the time next season starts, has played a total of 316 games and booted 419 goals since being taken in the 1994 national draft as a zone selection by the Brisbane Bears.
The colourful Queenslander moved to the Bulldogs in 2007 and has kicked 112 goals from 68 games in that time.