WEST Coast defender Mitch Brown thanks his "lucky stars" every day that he stayed an Eagle after requesting a trade to St Kilda in 2012.
Brown was struggling for opportunities at the Eagles after playing just 14 games across 2011 and 2012.
He requested a trade to St Kilda but the Eagles held firm, saying he was a required part of their defence.
Brown then signed a three-year contract extension in 2013 and has played 19 games in each of the past two seasons.
Brown said he felt the most comfortable he ever had in his nine-year career at the club.
"I thank my lucky stars every day that I’ve stayed with the Eagles," Brown said.
"I'm really grateful that I was able to stay, that they convinced me to stay, and now that we've got Adam Simpson.
"Since ‘Simmo’ has come on board I've really enjoyed my football.
"The last couple of years I've developed some consistency in my game and now I just want to get better individually.
"But I want to start winning as a club and pushing forward for our fourth premiership.
"I really want that. I'm getting to the stage of my career, I'm only 26, but it's my ninth year and I really want to get something out of my career other than my individual stuff."
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Brown has battled several injuries during his career after he was selected with pick 16 in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft.
He missed all of 2008 after requiring a knee reconstruction on his left knee and he had a major scare in the round 15 last year with fears he may have suffered another anterior cruciate injury to his right knee. However, it was only bone bruising.
Brown had ankle surgery during the off-season but it hasn't hampered him at all this summer.
"(My body) is ticking along nicely, touch wood," Brown said.
"Everything is going well. There's still life in my legs yet. I'm only 26 so there should be plenty of life but everything is going well.
"I've always had a lot of faith in my body and sometimes it's let me down but I always have confidence in it.
"It's been good over the last couple of months and I'll just go week-by-week and do everything right that I can."
Brown said he felt for veteran teammate Beau Waters, who continues to work diligently to return from his long-term shoulder injury.
Earlier this week, Simpson revealed the veteran was continuing to be plagued by shoulder issues.
Waters has not played AFL football since July 2013.
"Rehab is no fun," Brown said.
"You end up doing more work than the guys that are in the squad. But I think Beau is all right.
"It wouldn't be a Beau Waters pre-season without a bit of drama. He's been training really well and he's been part of that back six that have been training really hard over the pre-season, so he’ll be a big part of our year 2015."
