The Western Bulldogs have locked away key defender, Marcus Adams, for a further three years.

Adams, who missed out the Bulldogs' first premiership since 1954 due to a foot injury, which cut short his first AFL season after an extremely impressive 11 games, will now be a Dog until 2020.

The 23-year-old has missed just the one game so far this season, averaging 15.5 disposals and six marks.

โ€œItโ€™s great to be able to extend my contract at the Bulldogs, and Iโ€™m looking forward to improving with every season,โ€ Adams said.

โ€œLast year was a great experience for me to play the games I did.ย  It was frustrating to deal with the injuries I had, but I took a lot out of the season.

โ€œI want to establish myself in this team, and do whatever I can to help the team achieve success.โ€

List manager, Jason McCartney, said the club is thrilled to re-sign Adams, who had offers to return home to Western Australia.

โ€œWe believe Marcus has a big future at the Bulldogs, and weโ€™re thrilled to see him extend his contract,โ€ McCartney said.

โ€œWe see him as a key pillar of our defensive unit, with his athleticism and intercept marking his standout traits.ย  He is progressing very well.

โ€œThrough necessity he has gone forward at times this year and has been a threat, which has added another string to his bow."