Two-time AFL premiership player Grant Birchall has re-signed with Hawthorn until the end of the 2017 season.

The 25-year-old defender has played 169 games for the Hawks since his 2006 debut.

Birchall, a member of this year’s premiership side, also made last year’s All-Australian team.

He would have been eligible for free agency in 2015.

“Grant’s one of the competition’s elite rebounding defenders,” said Hawthorn list manager Graeme Wright.

“He’s 25 years of age, a high-quality character and future leader.

“This is the perfect long-term contract from the club’s perspective.”

Hawthorn announced the contract before their pre-season training camp in South Africa.