WEST Coast has re-signed hardworking midfielder Mark Hutchings on a two-year deal.
Hutchings had his best season in 2016 playing 18 games.
He did an excellent job in run-with roles on Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell and the Western Bulldogs' Marcus Bontempelli in the last three weeks of the season.
The 25-year-old has now played 56 games in four seasons at West Coast after he was picked up as a mature-age recruit in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft. He spent a season on St Kilda's rookie list in 2010 before being delisted.
Hutchings said he was starting to feel settled at AFL level despite having to play a number of different roles.
"Over the last couple of years I've added a few things to my game, added a few strings to my bow," Hutchings told the Eagles' website.
"Growing up I was always just a midfielder, but now being in the AFL you need to be versatile, you need to be flexible and you need to have different skill sets because things change on game day.
"So it's good if you have the ability to play in different positions, play forward, play on an opposition mid or do my own thing. I've really embraced it and I feel like if I can keep improving on those things it will make me a better player.
"I'm more in tune to what it's like to be an AFL player. I've had a few injuries and a few form slumps, as all players do, but for me it's about minimising those and maximising my top end performances.
"I've set the foundation now, but it's time for me to go to the next level, and take the next step and I'm excited about doing it.
"I know I'll have to work hard, but I've got it in me. I'm excited, but I'm hungry as well. I've had four years here now at West Coast and hopefully a fair few more. It's up to me to get the best out of myself."
There are a few Eagles still uncontracted for next year although it appears likely that Josh Hill, Fraser McInnes and Simon Tunbridge will be re-signed.
Premiership player Sam Butler and veteran key defender Mitch Brown are both unrestricted free agents while 2014 best and fairest Eric Mackenzie is assessing his options despite being contracted for 2017.
The Eagles will have at least eight list changes. They delisted six players following the finals exit last Thursday. Xavier Ellis and Damien Cavka both retired earlier in the year.
The Eagles have promoted midfield coach Brady Rawlings to the role of list manager with Adrian Battiston moving to a scouting role for the club.