STEWART Crameri has set his sights on playing beyond 2018, after being thrown a one-year rookie contract lifeline by Geelong on Monday.
The 29-year-old believes he has overcome the hip injury that ruined his last year at the Western Bulldogs, and has confidence he can show the Cats he has multiple seasons left in his body.
"I started my career a bit later, 21-22 as a professional player, so I think I've still got a few years to go yet," Crameri told the Geelong Advertiser.
"I think a lot of players are playing longer now, with the medical teams around clubs now, they're prolonging a lot of careers.
"So, I'll be expecting to not just play this year but the year after and go from there, but I hope to keep playing."
Crameri was one of two players to be rookied by the Cats in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft, along with developing youngster Matthew Hayball.
Hayball, a raw utility, was redrafted by the club after two seasons on the senior list.
Crameri's first game for the Cats will be 100th AFL appearance, after 57 for Essendon between 2010 and 2013, and 42 for the Bulldogs from 2014-17.
However, he'll start his stint at GMHBA Stadium in the rehabilitation group, after a season ruined by a hip issue that first caused problems in February.
Crameri was plagued by pain until May when it was decided he'd undergo a surgical clean out.
It was then determined he would miss the rest of the season after an extensive operation.
He pledged to keep training after the Dogs' season finished before he was officially delisted at the end of October.
Crameri visited the Cats' facilities in recent days, where he convinced the club's medical staff his hip issues were under control.
"The injuries I had at the start of the year have healed," he said.
"I've just got some strength work to kick off.
"I'll be in rehab for a couple of weeks, just to see where I'm at, then I'll be fine after that and into full training, which will be good. I can't wait to get back into it."
Crameri missed the entire 2016 season as part of the Essendon anti-doping suspension, which was the third of the four-year contract he signed with the Dogs.
He played just two AFL games this year, but convinced the Cats there was another compelling chapter to come in his footballing story.
"They've put a bit of trust in me to pick me up, so I want to repay that faith and play well," he said.
"They've got a really good side, so it would be a thrill to play in that team and I'll try to do my best.
"I'm pretty excited to be a part of it, to be honest, and hopefully I can play in the side."
The Cats' lack of firepower was exposed in their qualifying final loss to Richmond, when the eventual premiers kicked 13 goals to their five.
They recalled Daniel Menzel to the semi-final side and moved Patrick Dangerfield to full forward, which was a success, but the versatile Crameri will add more depth to an area in which they've recently struggled with injury.
Forward options Tim Kelly, Gryan Miers and Charlie Constable were also added to the list in Friday night's NAB AFL Draft, while the Cats are optimistic injured pair Lincoln McCarthy and Cory Gregson will be fit in 2018.
"Stewart has shown himself to be a versatile player who can give us options when he is fit and at his best," Stephen Wells told the club's website.
"His ability to play at both ends of the ground will give us flexibility and we are confident Stewart is over the hip injury that restricted him in 2017."
