MELBOURNE ruckman Mark Jamar has re-signed with Melbourne for three years, the Demons securing the 2010 All Australian until 2015.
The 28-year-old was an unrestricted free agent and his name had been mentioned in connection with several AFL clubs.
However he has agreed to terms with the Demons, ending negotiations that began on the eve of the 2012 season.
"[It's] always good to know what your future holds and get something sorted out, so yeah, over the moon," Jamar said.
"[It was] not difficult in the end. [The] club put faith in me and I would like to repay them."
Jamar, who has played 120 games with Melbourne and finished third in the 2010 best and fairest, had indicated publicly several times that he hoped to stay with the Demons.
He said it was not nice to be the subject of constant speculation about whether he was staying or going but that it came with the territory now that free agency was part of the football landscape.
"I'm pretty headstrong and I was pretty sure what I wanted to achieve and the way I wanted to go about it so I did not let those external pressures influence me at all," Jamar said.
After an injury interrupted 2011, he has been a consistent performer in 2012, playing every game and leading the competition in hit-outs. The former rookie was also elevated to the club's leadership group for the first time this season.
Jamar said he was confident in the club's direction under first year coach Mark Neeld.
"I am putting a lot of faith and confidence in the club so whether or not I am here for the success down the track I am going to do everything I can from this point on to create a good culture and help the boys around the place keep that," he said.
Jamar said Neeld had been encouraging him in recent weeks to sign on the dotted line but Jamar had been sidetracked with wedding plans before realising the time was right to say 'I do' to the Demons.
"I thought I better get in there and chat to the manager and get it sorted."
The ruckman said Neeld was not afraid to point out where he could improve his game and Jamar was beginning to benefit now from the feedback.
"Obviously he was pretty tough at the start and I was one of the guys on the end of that," Jamar said.
"My game was being scrutinised and I had to tidy up a lot of areas I may have got away with in the past. I think big picture that was done for a reason and now I have made improvements in those areas of the game and I am getting the rewards on the field."
Jamar remained hopeful that his teammate and partner-in-crime at centre clearances Brent Moloney would re-sign, but he said it was a decision Moloney and the club would make in time.
Moloney indicated earlier in the week he wanted to end his career at the Demons.
"We're best mates and I hope he does because I would love to be around him for the next three years and beyond," Jamar said.
"I guess that is up to him and his manager and our list manager to decide and hopefully they will get it done soon."
The 28-year-old was an unrestricted free agent and his name had been mentioned in connection with several AFL clubs.
However he has agreed to terms with the Demons, ending negotiations that began on the eve of the 2012 season.
"[It's] always good to know what your future holds and get something sorted out, so yeah, over the moon," Jamar said.
"[It was] not difficult in the end. [The] club put faith in me and I would like to repay them."
Jamar, who has played 120 games with Melbourne and finished third in the 2010 best and fairest, had indicated publicly several times that he hoped to stay with the Demons.
He said it was not nice to be the subject of constant speculation about whether he was staying or going but that it came with the territory now that free agency was part of the football landscape.
"I'm pretty headstrong and I was pretty sure what I wanted to achieve and the way I wanted to go about it so I did not let those external pressures influence me at all," Jamar said.
After an injury interrupted 2011, he has been a consistent performer in 2012, playing every game and leading the competition in hit-outs. The former rookie was also elevated to the club's leadership group for the first time this season.
Jamar said he was confident in the club's direction under first year coach Mark Neeld.
"I am putting a lot of faith and confidence in the club so whether or not I am here for the success down the track I am going to do everything I can from this point on to create a good culture and help the boys around the place keep that," he said.
Jamar said Neeld had been encouraging him in recent weeks to sign on the dotted line but Jamar had been sidetracked with wedding plans before realising the time was right to say 'I do' to the Demons.
"I thought I better get in there and chat to the manager and get it sorted."
The ruckman said Neeld was not afraid to point out where he could improve his game and Jamar was beginning to benefit now from the feedback.
"Obviously he was pretty tough at the start and I was one of the guys on the end of that," Jamar said.
"My game was being scrutinised and I had to tidy up a lot of areas I may have got away with in the past. I think big picture that was done for a reason and now I have made improvements in those areas of the game and I am getting the rewards on the field."
Jamar remained hopeful that his teammate and partner-in-crime at centre clearances Brent Moloney would re-sign, but he said it was a decision Moloney and the club would make in time.
Moloney indicated earlier in the week he wanted to end his career at the Demons.
"We're best mates and I hope he does because I would love to be around him for the next three years and beyond," Jamar said.
"I guess that is up to him and his manager and our list manager to decide and hopefully they will get it done soon."
General manager of list management Tim Harrington said it was an important show of faith by Jamar.
“It’s wonderful that Mark’s shown his commitment to the club,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“It’s very important for the club and the playing list that we retain our premier ruckman.
“It’s a real positive sign to all of our members and supporters from Mark.”
“It’s wonderful that Mark’s shown his commitment to the club,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“It’s very important for the club and the playing list that we retain our premier ruckman.
“It’s a real positive sign to all of our members and supporters from Mark.”
