THE WESTERN Bulldogs have secured the services of Ryan Griffen until the end of the 2015 season, locking in their midfield star on the eve of free agency.

Watch Ryan Griffen's interview with BulldogsTV on the media player above or on YouTube by clicking here.

Griffen's last deal with the Bulldogs ended at the conclusion of the 2012 season, when the free agency period begins.

Re-signing the 25-year-old is a coup for the Bulldogs after the club lost Callan Ward to Greater Western Sydney last year and Jarrod Harbrow to Gold Coast the season before.

"I was really thrilled [to extend terms]," Griffen told the Herald Sun.

"I always wanted to stay at the Bulldogs and for them to re-sign me it was fantastic. I love the guys here and the club, so I jumped at the opportunity."

The No.3 pick from the 2004 draft, who has played 143 matches for the Bulldogs and has averaged 22 possessions a game over each of the last three seasons, was sure to be a target of big spending clubs at the end of the year.

But new Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney was not about to leave the door open for Griffen to go.

"It is a changing landscape with restricted free agency and unrestricted free agency," McCartney said.

"It extends him (Griffen) out for a period that when he does fall out of contract for the first time, he will be well past that eight-year period. It is perfect timing. He finished third in our best and fairest last year and is a very valuable player for the club."

From the end of the season, players who have spent eight years - and are out of contract - will be able to hear offers from rival clubs (how free agency works).

Click here to view Ryan Griffen's Player Profile.