BRENDAN Whitecross has inked a new one-year deal with Hawthorn in a bid to finally taste premiership success.
As reported by AFL.com.au last month, the 25-year-old turned down offers from the Brisbane Lions and Greater Western Sydney during the NAB AFL Trade Period, choosing instead to continue his career at Waverley.
Competition for spots in Hawthorn's best 22 will be red hot in 2016, as the Hawks chase four consecutive flags.
Whitecross, along with the likes of Will Langford, Daniel Howe, Jonathan O'Rourke and James Sicily, will all by vying for senior selection.
After 18 months on the sidelines following a second knee reconstruction, Whitecross returned to the senior side in round three against the Western Bulldogs earlier this year.
He managed three more senior games before being relegated to the VFL, where he struggled to push his way back into the top side, despite strong performances for Box Hill.
Whitecross was a regular in the Hawks' best 22 before rupturing his right anterior cruciate ligament for the first time in the 2012 qualifying final victory over Collingwood.
After making a successful recovery, he suffered more heartbreak in the 2013 preliminary final win over Geelong when he re-injured his knee in the final term.
The midfielder is currently recovering from post-season shoulder surgery but the club said his preparation for season 2016 wouldn't be delayed too much.
"Brendan will be a bit slower getting back into full contact work with footy before Christmas, but he is in a pretty good position," Hawthorn football boss Chris Fagan said.
"It’s a good result because he can still run and do the required conditioning stuff when he returns."
Whitecross has played 88 games for Hawthorn since he was recruited from Zillmere in Queensland with pick No.29 in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft.
