Western Bulldogs veteran Dale Morris will extend his career into an 11th season after signing a one-year contract extension.

The 31-year-old key defender was due to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, but is now set to become a 200-game player at the Bulldogs next year.

Morris, who battled back from a horrific broken leg in 2012, has played 15 games this season, taking his career tally to 188.

"A lot of people don't realise what the club has done for me," Morris said on Thursday.

"They've been enormous for me, my family and my life, so to play another year I'm absolutely thrilled."

"I'm excited with what the future holds and hopefully I'm around long enough to see the fruits of [the club's] labour. They're really doing great things on and off the field."

Coach Brendan McCartney welcomed Morris' new deal and said he had an important role to play in the future development of the team.

"I think everyone respects and admires Dale for the person he is and the way he plays," McCartney said.

"We've got some good young defenders here, but he's pivotal because you know what you're going to get from him each week and you don't get that with young people."

The Bulldogs have now secured the services of veterans Morris and Robert Murphy, and McCartney said midfielder Matthew Boyd would probably follow suit in the coming weeks, although a new deal has not yet been struck.

"He's playing well," McCartney said.

"He's an important player at our club, Matthew. The load he carried as a captain for a few years was massive and he dealt with it manfully, and his game almost went to another level in some ways with the responsibility he had.

"He's enjoyed the year he's had this year with less responsibility … and is playing good footy."

McCartney remained tight lipped when asked whether Shaun Higgins, who becomes a free agent at season's end, would be at the club next year.

AFL.com.au understands North Melbourne, Carlton, Richmond and Greater Western Sydney have expressed their interest in the 26-year-old, who is reportedly after a three-year contract.

"It's not my area" McCartney said.

"We're all engaging in conversations about where we want our group to go. Our footy manager and our list manager, they go to work on it. That's all I have to say on it."

Higgins was axed from the Bulldogs' round 18 side that lost to Essendon but has put his hand up for a recall against the Hawks on Sunday after a solid performance in the VFL.