WESTERN Bulldogs defender Dale Morris has signed a one-year contract extension for the 2014 season, capping his outstanding return from a career threatening broken leg.

The 30-year-old entered 2013 with his career at the crossroads, but he has not missed a game this season and has thrived as a cornerstone of the Dogs’ back six.

View Dale  Morris' player profile and career statistics

After suffering a horrific broken leg late in 2011 and missing the entire 2012 season, Morris said he was just pleased to be contributing as the young Bulldogs' develop.   

"At the start of the year it was a big unknown how my leg was going to go, so I'm absolutely rapt to get a new deal," he told the Herald Sun.

"Coming off the injury that I've had and at my age, there are never going to be multi-year deals, but I've pleased the club has shown the faith and supported me through it all."

Morris has thrived as a mentor to some of the Bulldogs' young key defenders, including Jordan Roughead and Michael Talia.

He said he was hopeful of extending his career beyond 2014.

"I'm glad that I have been able to pay them back a little bit this year and I really love working with the young guys," he said.

"Who knows, I didn't come into the system until I was 22, and then I had a year off with the injury, so hopefully I can hang around like (Dustin) Fletcher and play until I'm 40.

"I am still hopeful that I am still here when we have another crack at it.

"We are investing a lot of time into the young players, so that we can hopefully get the benefits later on."