DALE Thomas and Heath Shaw have re-signed new deals that will keep them at Collingwood for at least the next two years.
Thomas, 21, has committed to the club until the end of 2011 while 23-year-old Shaw's contract also includes the 2012 season.
The contract announcements complement Collingwood's recent success in securing the signatures of captain Nick Maxwell and midfielders Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan.
Recruited by Collingwood with the No. 2 selection in the 2005 NAB AFL Draft, Thomas said he was glad the club had confidence in him as it considered future campaigns.
"I think when you get drafted you want to stay at one team and sometimes that doesn’t eventuate, but hopefully I can still play the rest of my days here," he told collingwoodfc.com.au.
"If you look over history the teams that have played good finals footy are the ones that have stuck together and hopefully we can do that."
Thomas, who switches between the midfield and forward line, has played 68 games for the club since his 2006 debut.
After a club-imposed suspension for crashing his car when drink-driving, Shaw's 2008 season was ended at round 18 and there was some uncertainty over his future at Collingwood.
Hampered by early-season injuries, Shaw has only added two games to a 73-game career that began in 2005 but will line up against St Kilda on Monday night.
Shaw's father Ray was Collingwood captain in 1979 and 1980.
"There is a bit of family history at Collingwood. I was never going anywhere so it’s good to get the three years locked away and concentrate on getting back on the track," Shaw told collingwoodfc.com.au.
"I am happy where I am. I love Melbourne and I love the Collingwood Football Club."
Collingwood chief of football Geoff Walsh said both players had made their mark on the club and the club was pleased to retain them.
"We expect them to be part of the nucleus of our side going forward for the next five to eight years," he told collingwoodfc.com.au.