THE Western Bulldogs have secured Tom Boyd’s key position partner Jack Redpath on a new deal, with the 25-year-old rebuffing three rival suitors.

Critics of the Dogs’ multi-million dollar contract with Boyd had wondered if it would jeopardise the club’s chances of securing his teammates’ signatures.

But not only does Redpath believe he and Boyd can play together, he is thrilled with the club’s camaraderie and positive vibe under Luke Beveridge.

He is in the form of his career, kicking 14 goals in his past five games after overcoming hip issues during the summer and a season which started in the VFL.

Round 18

Redpath’s manager Ryan Kogelman told the Herald Sun he had committed until the end of 2017 as a show of faith.

Clubs desperate for a key forward — and aware the upcoming national draft has few key position players — had been keen to lure him away from the Kennel.

Jack Redpath celebrates a goal against Port Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

“There was a bit of interest from elsewhere. He was pretty well sought after but he has committed to the Dogs for next year and an announcement will come out shortly,’’ Kogelman said.

“The Dogs have been extremely good to him in the past and he has the opportunity to play that forward role.

“Tom Boyd plays a different role to him and so does Jake Stringer. The players want to stay and be part of it. Jack loves the camaraderie and bond the players have.”

FOOTY FANS SURVEY: HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE GAME’S BIG ISSUES

Redpath has emerged as the most unlikely of AFL spearheads, a qualified carpenter who fought back from two knee reconstructions to become an AFL rookie.

The 194cm, 100kg power forward played senior football for Kyneton at 16 but eventually was elevated off the rookie list to make his debut in 2014.

He kicked 19 goals from 12 games last year but after mediocre VFL form was given a senior chance in Round 7 and kicked three goals against Adelaide.

The next week he took five contested marks to go with his three goals against Melbourne, with a Round 9 suspension his only blemish.

Taken at No.62 in the rookie draft in December 2011, he shapes as a key figure in the Dogs’ push towards its second premiership.

Bulldogs president Peter Gordon said this week the club’s long-term signing of key players showed it did not have future salary cap concerns.

Players re-signed until 2018 include Tom Liberatore, Jake Stinger, Easton Wood, Jackson Macrae, Mitch Wallis and Jordan Roughead.

Lachie Hunter and Marcus Bontempelli are signed until 2019 and Boyd’s seven-year deal worth over $6 million expires in 2021.

Veterans Matthew Boyd and Dale Morris are out of contract at the end of the year but have the form to play on again next year.