HAMISH Hartlett’s decision to stay at Alberton was simple: there’s unfinished business at the club he loves.

The powerful midfielder penned a lengthy five-year contract extension with Port Adelaide on Wednesday, committing him to the club until he’s at least 31.

Hartlett says the mentality of the group has always been to commit to the club long-term.

“I’ve been on a long journey with a lot of these guys…the job is unfinished,” Hartlett said on Wednesday.

“To have sustained success as a group, you need to realise where you fit at the footy club, and there’s no doubt we’re a very tight knit group.

“[Our] guys certainly don’t get carried away by external factors – they want to stay together as a group, and to win a flag together is the ultimate goal.”

Previously set to become a free agent at the end of 2016, Hartlett was quick to shut down rumours of a move interstate in the upcoming trade period, despite offers from rival Victorian clubs.

He reckons clubs with good culture and personnel have nothing to worry about when their key players face free agency.

“I think particularly when clubs have a lot of money in their salary cap that they can throw around to players, it probably scares clubs a little bit,” he said.

“But at the same time, if a club has developed a really good culture and a solid foundation in terms of the people they’ve got in the club, the desire for their players to stay is greater, and that’s probably the overriding factor overall.

“The people we’ve got a this footy club is part of the reason why I wanted to stay…we’re just about as close as any other team out there to gaining what we want to gain.”