ST KILDA midfielder Blake Acres has signed a two-year contract extension with the club.

The new deal, which St Kilda is expected to announce this week, will see the big-bodied 21-year-old remain at the Saints until the end of 2020.

Despite having a year to run on his contract, Acres had been courted by Western Australian clubs with suggestions abound that the Eagles and Dockers may be preparing a pitch for him during the trade period.

But his decision to put pen to paper has all but dispelled the chances of a move this October and reaffirmed his loyalty to the club that drafted him with Pick 19 back in 2013.

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Camera Icon Blake Acres. Photo: Michael Klein Credit: News Corp Australia

Since then, Acres has been in and out of Alan Richardson’s 22 despite showing positive signs at both VFL and AFL level.

He solidified his reputation in 2017, playing 18 games and averaging a fraction more than 20 disposals per outing. At his best, he was one of St Kilda’s most damaging midfielders.

Twice he was sent back to prove himself for Sandringham and twice he returned with renewed vigour to the senior team and a more rounded player.

Drafted alongside Luke Dunstan and Jack Billings at the beginning of Richardson’s reign, Acres signed a three-year extension after just three senior matches at the end of 2014 which kept him at arm’s length from prying Western Australian teams.

The latest contract has the same effect and will see Acres complete his seventh season with the club before he comes out of contract again.

Acres has been most prolific as a pure midfielder, but has also showed his wares as a 191cm forward, a freewheeling winger and a strong-marking halfback over his career.

This year he booted 11 goals including two in a stirring win over GWS in Round 7.

His signing follows Shane Savage and Jack Lonie’s recommitment last week.

Savage penned a two-year deal, while Lonie inked a contract for the 2018 season.

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