RE-SIGNED midfielder Jordan Gysberts says he is modeling his game on 2010 Norm Smith Medallist Scott Pendlebury.

Gysberts said he honed in on the Collingwood star’s game to further his craft.

“I’ve tried to model my game on Scott Pendlebury. I look up to him and watch him a bit and try to pick up tips from him. If I could have a career like him, it would be great,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“Mark Jamar also helps me a lot because of his ability to win the hit outs and put it down my throat.”

“It’s probably helps playing in the midfield because my height. To be able to get the ball above other players also helps a bit.”

The impressive young ball-winner and clearance player penned a new two-year deal with Melbourne on Wednesday, which will see him remain a Demon for at least the 2012-13 seasons.

Gysberts has played five matches so far, including three last year, before a back injury interrupted the second half of his 2010.

“From June last year I had an inflamed sacroiliac joint in my L4 and L5 in my back,” he said.

“So it was tough to return, but I had to keep movement in my back, so it wouldn’t spasm or go out [of alignment] again.”

He said he had to carefully manage his injury, before returning to the field.

“I had to watch how I sit and sleep and make sure that I’m not sitting down for too long, so I can avoid the injury again,” Gysberts said.

“It will still take time, but it’s something that when I do weights, I try and strengthen my core area and that really helps. [Fitness staff] Adam Paulo and Joel Hocking have really helped in that area with one-on-one training in the gym.

“I’ve got a lot more strength in my back, but at the time I thought the injury wasn’t that big of a deal and it got worse and worse.”

Despite his limited appearances, Gysberts is averaging more than 21 disposals per match.

He said his ability to adapt so quickly at the highest level had been largely due to playing senior football with Casey in the VFL.

“Brad Gotch, our Casey coach, has been very good at implementing Melbourne’s game plan to his side, so it’s made the transition easier for me to come through,” Gysberts said.

“All of my teammates have been really supportive and helpful.

“Overall, I’m really enjoying my time at Melbourne, so hopefully we can play finals down the track and I’m really happy I’ve signed this contract.”