Jamar’s new deal means he is locked into the Demons until at least the end of 2012, at which time the Demons - who boast several young guns - hope to be challenging for a top-four spot.
After playing just five matches last year, Jamar has played every match in 2010, and is enjoying a stellar season.
He has not only assumed the role of the number one ruckman at Melbourne, but would be prominent in the club’s best and fairest award.
Some view him as a potential All-Australian nominee, given his meteoric rise.
He has averaged career-best numbers across 12 matches and in his last outing - against Collingwood in the Queen's Birthday holiday draw at the MCG - Jamar had a career-high 25 possessions and 33 hit-outs.
Melbourne list manager Tim Harrington said Jamar, who joined the club as a rookie, had become a crucial element of the Dees’ midfield mix.
“Mark has become a very important cog in our team,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“We’ve been given a great advantage through his ruck work. With a younger midfield group, it’s vital that we’ve got some physical presence in there, and Mark provides that for us."
Following his performance against the Pies, afl.com.au’s Luke Darcy rated Jamar the game’s most-improved player.
“I’ve watched Mark Jamar quite a bit this season, and I think he’s the most improved player in the competition,” Darcy wrote in his weekly column, Luke’s List.
“For me he’s a standout who’s improved their game more than anyone else going around.
“He’s big, strong and, without much support in the ruck department at Melbourne, seems to have really developed this year.”
