LOYALTY to the Essendon Football Club was the deciding factor in Launceston's Tom Bellchambers deciding to stay at Windy Hill.
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The 24-year-old big man has elected to remain a Bomber for at least the next two seasons, despite rival offers larger in both money and time.
He rejected offers from Greater Western Sydney and Hawthorn.
``I'm really happy to have signed for another two years,'' Bellchambers said.
``I have so many great mates here and I wanted to repay the loyalty the club had shown me.
``With my contract out of the way, I'm just looking forward to next season, getting back into training and working really hard over summer because as a club we know we are heading in the right direction.''
Bellchambers played 18 games this year, averaging 10 touches, four marks and 22 hitouts, and kicked 28 goals, making him the most prolific big-man in the game.
This included a career-best five-goal haul against Port Adelaide in round 15, which included three in the first term.
Essendon assistant coach Simon Goodwin described the former Launceston premiership player, who was best on ground in the 2007 NTFL grand final, as one of the game's ``dynamic'' ruckmen.
``Tom is highly regarded by the coaching staff and playing group and it's great to have him re-sign for another two years,'' Goodwin said.
``Tom's work ethic and competitive nature has not only seen him develop into one of the most exciting ruckmen in the competition but he's also emerged as a reliable avenue to goal, and to finish as the club's second highest goalkicker this season is a great achievement.''
The 202-centimetre, 110-kilogram Bellchambers, who came to Essendon with the eighth pick in the 2007 preseason draft, has played 61 games and kicked 48 goals since his debut in round 11, 2008.