PREMIERSHIP hero Nick Malceski has re-signed with the Sydney Swans until the end of 2014, turning his back on free agency.

Malceski, who kicked the goal that sealed the Swans' 10-point win over Hawthorn in last year's Grand Final, was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

But a Swans spokesman told AFL.com.au Malceski, 28, recently signed a one-year contract extension that will extend his career with the reigning premiers into an 11th season.

Malceski's re-signing comes on the back of his outstanding start to the 2013 season.

After six rounds, Malceski leads the competition in rebound 50s (averaging 7.7 a game), is second in kicks (19.3 a game) and equal fifth for bounces (2.7).

It's form that prompted Swans assistant coach John Blakey to say last week that Malceski had rediscovered his career-best form of 2007, when he finished runner-up in the Swans' best and fairest.

An integral member of the Swans' defence since 2006, Malceski has been limited to 132 games by injury.

He became the first AFL player to have Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System (LARS) surgery after rupturing his right anterior cruciate ligament in a 2008 pre-season clash with Hawthorn.

Three years later, he ruptured the synthetic graft in his right knee during the 2011 pre-season and underwent another LARS reconstruction.
Before debuting with the Swans in 2005, Malceski had a traditional reconstruction of his left knee after rupturing its ACL in the 2004 pre-season.

Malceski was named in the preliminary All Australian squad in 2007 and 2010.

He was dropped midway through last season but after earning a recall in round 15 quickly re-established himself in the Swans' back half as they made their run to their fifth premiership.

Nick Bowen is a reporter with AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nick