WESTERN Bulldogs veteran Matthew Boyd has re-signed with the club for one year, extending his AFL career into a 15th season.
Boyd was an All Australian this year and played 24 games, including the Bulldogs' triumphant Grand Final.
There was speculation the 34-year-old wouldn't go on after a contract offer was withdrawn mid-season, but a strong end to the year saw the evergreen veteran become a vital piece of the club's premiership puzzle.
Playing across half-back, Boyd averaged 27.9 disposals at 79 per cent efficiency.
Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said the club was pleased the defensive playmaker was playing on.
"Matthew Boyd has been an extraordinary servant to our club for many years," McCartney said.
"To contribute the way he did in his 14th season, is testament to his hard work and professionalism."
"We’re really pleased Matthew will continue playing with us in 2017."
Boyd's manager Bruce Haider said the new deal was a tribute to Boyd's determination to re-establish himself as a key player in the Bulldogs' line-up.
"There were a couple of challenges in the middle part of the year and I think, to Matty's credit, as he's always done throughout his career, he defied everybody and his critics and had a great finish to the season," Haider told NAB AFL Trade Radio.
Haider refused to elaborate on the specific issues that created the initial impasse in negotiations, other than to say there had been a question mark over Boyd's form mid-season.
"But that's all behind us now," he said.
He revealed that Boyd hasn't ruled out playing beyond 2017.
"Given how well he's played and the type of competitor that he is, I don't think that he could go into a season thinking that it's going to be his last," Haider said.
"I think that's a conversation that'll be had at the back end of next year, should that be relevant."
Boyd has played 282 games in the red, white and blue since being plucked from the VFL reserves with pick 23 in the 2001 rookie draft.