Ben Stratton has signed a one-year contract extension to keep him a Hawk until at least the end of 2020.

GM-Football Graham Wright says the decision to re-sign the skipper was a simple one.

“Ben is a highly valued player, clubman and teammate,” Wright said.

“His captaincy is a reflection of the trust and respect his teammates and the club have for him, and we’re looking forward to watching him grow in this role over the coming months.

“He leads by example, exemplified through his courage and commitment on the field, and he sets a great standard for those around him.

“We’re thrilled to have him locked in until the end of next year.”

Read: Squad announcement

Stratton was selected with Pick 46 in the 2009 National Draft as a mature-aged recruit.

He immediately became a staple in the Hawks’ backline, regularly nullifying some of the competitions’ best forwards.

After two seasons in the leadership group, Stratton assumed the captaincy at the start of 2019, taking the reigns from his good friend Jarryd Roughead.

The now 30-year-old, with his range of iconic moustaches and hairdos, has become something of a cult hero among the Hawthorn faithful, and looks set to entertain the brown and gold fan base for some time to come.