Inspirational Port Adelaide captain Dom Cassisi has committed to playing out his career at Alberton after signing a contract extension with the club.

The 29-year-old’s decision delivers a significant boost to the Power as it prepares to kick off its 2012 AFL campaign against St Kilda at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.

Cassisi’s decision sees the club build on the momentum created by the securing of a host of young talent at the end of last season.

The courageous midfielder has played 184 games since debuting for Port Adelaide in 2002. The 2004 premiership player was recruited to Alberton from East Fremantle via pick 50 at the 2000 AFL National Draft.

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Cassisi said he had no hesitation in agreeing to see out his career at Port Adelaide and is buoyed by the club’s future.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to be a one-club player at such a wonderful club as Port Adelaide,” Cassisi said.

“They have been brilliant to me since I first arrived from Western Australia and I just feel really fortunate and honoured to be able to play out my whole career here at Alberton, so it’s something I will definitely cherish when I look back on my career.

“I love captaining this football club and I’m just so excited as to where our young group has come from and to where it’s heading.

“We go into this season confident with our preparation knowing we’ve ticked a lot of boxes over the summer.

“We think we’ve laid a pretty good platform for this season but we’re also aware that we need to make the most of our hard work by maintaining our competitiveness across the whole year, starting with a very tough challenge against St Kilda in Round 1.”

In February, Cassisi was re-appointed as captain of Port Adelaide for the fourth consecutive season. If he remains injury free this year, he can rack up the 16 appearances he needs to become only the sixth Port Adelaide player to play 200 AFL games.

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Port Adelaide senior coach Matthew Primus says he is thrilled that Cassisi has extended his career at the Power and looks forward to him leading the club forward.

“I’m delighted that Dom has re-signed and I know he’s going to continue to play a very important part in the club’s journey over the next few years both through his leadership and his consistency on-field,” Primus said.

“His leadership has just been outstanding during some challenging times and you never question either his work ethic or his desire to make our entire playing group better.

“He continues to put the club before himself and I can’t ask for anymore from him as a player or as a captain.”

Cassisi has enormous respect among his team-mates who for the past four seasons have awarded him the Fos Williams Medal for the best team man.

The Power will be looking to launch its season with a win when it hosts the Saints at AAMI Stadium from 4.15pm on Sunday.

Become a member now to get access to Port Adelaide home matches for just $18 a game - beginning with Sunday’s season-opener.

To sign up visit WeArePortAdelaide.com.au, call 1300 GO PAFC (1300 467 232) or call by the membership desk in The Port Club, Queen St, Alberton.