St Kilda ruckman Tom Hickey has re-signed with the club,ย ending speculation he could returnย to his home state of Queensland.
The Saints big man re-signed forย a further two seasons.
Theย 25-year-old is coming off a career best season, after he averaged 13.2 disposals and 28.7 hitouts, as he played all bar two of the Saints' games in 2016.
"We're a young group and we're on the improve. I love this club and want to stay here and help us get success," Hickey told the club's website
"I've been here since we were at the bottom and I'm loving the rise that we're having and hopefully it can continue.
"Mum wanted me to come home pretty bad, but I'm pretty well settled down here. I've got my girlfriend down here and I've been down here for five years now and have aย really good group of mates."
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Hickey has played a total of 49 games for St Kilda, after moving from the Gold Coast Suns, where he played 12 games in two seasons.
The 201cm ruckman was a Queensland-zone academy selection in the 2010 National Draft but failed to make an impact at the club, as he found himself behind the likes of ruckmen Zac Smith and Josh Fraser in his first two seasons at AFL level.
He was in and out of the side during his first three seasons at the Saints and earned his spot in the best 22 last season.
Meanwhile, Luke Dunstan, 22, has also penned a two-year extension.
"Itโs been going really well. I did a similar off-season running program to what Tim Membrey did last year and I feel like Iโve got a really good base under myself now,"ย Dunstonย said.
"(Endurance) is probably the one side of my game that needs the most improvement.
"Iโve just been chipping away at it year after year and Iโm slowly getting there. I feel like I made some really good inroads this pre-season."
