MELBOURNE has beaten off interest fromcashed-up Fremantle to re-sign star young forward Jesse Hogan.

Hogan, who was contracted to the Demonsuntil the end of next year, has signed a two-year extension, keeping him at theclub until at least the end of the 2017 season.

The Dockers were prepared to tempt Hoganwith a sizeable offer to lure the young star back home to Perth, AFL.com.auunderstands. It is believed West Coast was also keen to court the Perth-raisedyoungster.

The 195cm forward, whose debut has beendelayed by stress reactions in his back this season, said he was convincedMelbourne was the place for him.

"It's been a pretty hard year for mebut it's exciting news and I'm glad to get it out of the way," Hogan told AFL.com.au.

"This year hasn't been ideal for me,not being able to play. I wanted to play a year first before making mydecision, but with my back it hasn't turned out that way.

"The time was right just so I can getinto next season with confidence, focus on the footy and not have my mind onwhat I'm doing at the end of the year."

Coach Paul Roos played a key role inHogan's decision to recommit to the club, flying to Perth at the end of lastyear to speak with Hogan and his family.

Talks between the parties recommenced threeweeks ago before Demons football manager Josh Mahoney and Hogan's manager JasonDover, of Stride Sports Management, signed off on the deal on Tuesday night.

Mahoney said the club was ecstatic to lockaway such a crucial piece of its future forward line.

"Jesse'san important signing for the club, along with the recent signings we'vemade," Mahoney said.

"Our focus this year was to create an environment where playerswanted to stay and this signing is an indication that we are heading in theright direction."

TheDemons are confident Hogan has overcome the back issues that have restrictedhim for much of this season and do not anticipate anylong-term affects.

Dover said the timing of the new deal wasright.

"We didn't want Jesse to get to theend of the season and keep holding it out," Dover said.

"Both parties were on the same pageand it was a good time to discuss it and make everything fall into place."

Hogan is around a month away from returningvia the Casey Scorpions in the VFL and the Demons expect him to make his AFLdebut before the end of the season.

"I'm over the hump now and the back'sfeeling good, so I've just got to finish my rehab now and everything should befine," Hogan said.