HAWTHORN defender Taylor Duryea has turned down the lure of free agency to sign a new one-year deal, extending his stay at Waverley Park to nine seasons.

The 26-year-old played a career-low 15 games this season – playing just once in the first eight rounds – and spent time in the VFL during the Hawks' slow start to the year.

But Duryea has already played 101 matches and was a member of the 2014 and 2015 flag-winning Hawthorn sides. 

A knee injury was a factor in his sluggish beginning to this year.

"I was out of form and the body wasn't great with a few fitness issues. So, I had a few weeks off completely to take a step back and get the knee completely right," Duryea told AFL.com.au in July.

"It was sort of a mini pre-season, but I went back to square one to get some quad strength and knee strength and get it back to a level where I could function with some power.

"Then I had to get some VFL footy under my belt and play as well as I could at that level."

Duryea's best football came in the backline, but he played a defensive forward role in the second half of the season, most successfully on Collingwood interceptor Jeremy Howe in round 15.

Hawthorn recruiting and list manager Graham Wright said Duryea's versatility was a major part of his appeal.

"He has matched up against some of the opposition's best players in 2017 and really embraced the opportunity to play multiple roles," Wright said.

"He is a great character around the club and we are rapt to see him continue for another season."

Where Duryea fits into Hawthorn's plans for next year remains to be seen, especially with Port Adelaide speedster Jarman Impey set to join the Hawks.

Wright suggested Impey could play up forward, down back or even through the midfield in brown and gold.