GENERAL manager of football operations Josh Mahoney says the club is satisfied with securing key defender Tom McDonald for a further two seasons, even if it would have liked to have signed him for longer.

Speaking on SEN 1116 on Thursday, Mahoney said locking in McDonald for the 2017-18 seasons was still a good result.

“It was part of the whole negotiation – the player has to feel comfortable with the terms,” he said.

“We would’ve liked to have signed Tom on for a little bit longer, but we’re comfortable in the end that two years gives him enough time to look at the club continuing to improve. We think we’re only going to be better in two years’ time.

“I think since the ‘Buddy’ (Lance Franklin) contract [with the Sydney Swans] being a long-term [nine-year deal], there is a bit of a fascination with players signing on for a longer term.

“To still have someone commit for two years is a good commitment to have.”

Mahoney said to have McDonald and his younger brother Oscar commit for the next years was important for the club.

“The two brothers – the McDonald boys – they’re coupled together for just about everything,” he said.

“They were [selected at] the same draft number (No.53 in 2010 and 2014) and they signed on the same day, so they’re really important for our structure moving forward.

“They weren’t a package deal, but the fact that they’re managed by the same manager Alex McDonald – we tried to keep it separate as much as we can. It was just the timing with the way it was, they ended up being on the same day.”

Meanwhile, Mahoney said every club would be interested in key Essendon tall Michael Hurley, if he became available.

“I think every club would’ve asked that question to Paul Connors about what Michael’s doing and until he makes a decision, we expect that he’ll stay at Essendon,” he said.