GREATER Western Sydney has been buoyed by the key signature of co-captain Phil Davis who has re-committed to the club until the end of the 2018 season.
Davis, 24, was originally contracted until the end of 2016 after he signed a lucrative five-year deal when he joined the Giants, from the Crows, at the end of 2011.
The new deal, which was announced by CEO Dave Matthews and coach Leon Cameron on Tuesday, forms part of a two-year contract extension.
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"It was a pretty easy decision for myself," Davis said at a press conference on Tuesday.
"I knew I wanted to be here. This is the place I want to play my footy and it (the contract) went through quite easily."
Davis was the first AFL-listed player to join the expansion club, leaving Adelaide – the club that drafted him with pick No.10 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft – after playing 18 games in two seasons.
The key defender has played 64 games in five seasons in the AFL.
Davis has dealt with his fair share of injury setbacks throughout his career, none more serious than the ruptured kidney he sustained in round one last season.
The kidney injury sidelined him for three months and there were some fears it may have had the potential to jeopardise his career.
"When I was injured I felt for a bit there that I would go off into the mist and retire," Davis said.
"But I had some good health and got better.
"Now I'm very thankful for the position I'm in."
Davis returned in round 13 and managed to play in 10 of the Giants' last 11 games of the season.
Despite the positive news surrounding the co-captain’s re-signing, the Giants are still chasing the signatures of out-of-contract young stars Jeremy Cameron, Adam Treloar, Dylan Shiel, Devon Smith and Stephen Coniglio.
Davis said the talent on the Giants' list convinced him that the ultimate success isn't too far away.
"One of the main reasons I decided to extend was that this is the place where I think I'm the best chance to win a premiership and I'm excited about where we're going.
"With a young group they understand that and believe that and no doubt as the year rolls on, and the timing is right, we'll have more and more players extend."
Giants CEO Dave Matthews said he was content with where the club was at in regard to those out-of-contract Giants.
"All those discussions are progressing well," Matthews said.
"We're pretty comfortable with where we're at at the moment. We understand that there's going to be a lot of scrutiny and interest in those players.
"We expect in the coming weeks that there'll be further announcements, so we're pretty relaxed at the moment."
