Fremantle star Caleb Serong has declared he never thought about holding out on a new contract so he could enter free agency or consider a life-changing deal from Tasmania after re-signing with the Dockers until the end of 2034.

Serong wasn’t due to come out of contract until the end of 2027 but that would have given him incredible opportunities if he waited to negotiate a new deal. Tasmania have a war chest to enter the competition with, and he could have also considered returning home to Victoria as a free agent.

But the three time Doig Medallist and three-time All-Australian said he only ever wanted to stay a Docker.

“There are always opportunities to look elsewhere. To be honest, we didn’t really entertain too many of those. Once we started the process with Wallsy and the club, it was pretty clear that we weren’t too far apart and could get the deal done pretty quick,” Serong said.

“It’s really exciting. it means a lot to me and my family. This club means a lot to me. It’s a great feeling to be able to commit long-term.

“It’s something that didn’t require too much thought. I was really stoked with the process. I was really glad we could get it done when we did and I didn’t have to let it drag into next year.”

Fremantle have now locked in their three star midfielders until beyond 2030. Hayden Young is contracted until the end of 2033. Andrew Brayshaw has committed until the end of 2031. And now Serong will wear purple until 2034.

He said knowing the Dockers have a large group of key players who are contracted long term was also attractive.

“It’s very exciting. That’s one of the parts that gets me going in the morning - the passion and excitement that those guys and such a big group of our cohort have for this football club,” he said.

“You don’t commit that long to a footy club if you don’t have an emotional and strong investment. That’s what I feel the most. I feel an emotional strong love for this footy club.

“Before it’s been announced, Young and Andy is the two guys I’ve told. We’ve had these conversations before both of those two signed and the possibility of what that looks like because we are all so close.

“Young was the first one to sign and then Andy and now me. But we are all kind of in it together and understanding this is where we want to be and long term we are going to be in it together.

“We’ve had some close mates leave for different reasons. us three want to stick it out together.”

DOCKERS LOCKED IN

Key players who are signed up for at least the next four seasons

2029: Murphy Reid, Luke Jackson, Shai Bolton, Jye Amiss, Michael Frederick

2030: Brennan Cox, Josh Treacy, Sean Darcy, Judd McVee, Pat Voss

2031: Andrew Brayshaw

2033: Hayden Young

2034: Caleb Serong