GEELONG has re-signed small forward Mathew Stokes in a major fillip for the club on the eve of the Cats' preliminary final with West Coast.
The Australian reported on Friday that Stokes agreed to a two-year contract extension that will not only keep him at Skilled Stadium until the end of 2013 but away from expansion team Greater Western Sydney.
Stokes has played 109 games for Geelong, including 11 finals, and booted 163 goals.
His career was at the crossroads in late 2009 after he was charged with trafficking and possession of cocaine and was suspended by the Cats until round eight of the 2010 season.
Since returning, Stokes has played 38 of a possible 41 games for Geelong.