FREMANTLE midfielder Lachie Neale says there was "a bit of garbage" written about his contract situation this year and his loyalty to the Dockers and belief in the club's future were the major reasons he decided to stay.

Neale, 23, signed a three-year contract extension to remain at the club until the end of 2019.

The South Australian said the speculation surrounding his contract negotiations this year had amused him given he had followed a plan he had set out late last year.

"It was surprising to me," Neale said on Monday. 

"I always had this plan from basically September last year so I knew in my mind some of the stuff that was being written and what not was a bit of garbage."

Neale said he was aware of offers made from other clubs to his management but he only ever wanted to deal with Fremantle.

"(I was aware of) bits and pieces but to be honest we didn't go into too much detail," Neale said.

"It was up to me whether I delved into that much and I didn't. I wanted to deal with Fremantle and that's the way it stayed."

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Fremantle recruited Neale from Glenelg with pick No.58 in the 2011 NAB AFL draft. He is still very close to his family in South Australia and did discuss his future with them.

But ultimately his belief in the Dockers' future and a sense of loyalty to the club that gave him a chance were the determining factors in why he chose to stay. 

"Obviously with my family being interstate I sat down with them and had a couple of really good discussions with them and obviously the future of the club as well," Neale said.

"I'm here to win games of footy and I see that happening in the future. That's another big reason.

"And also a bit of loyalty. This club gave me the chance five years ago now and I was a pretty late draft pick. So they took a chance on me and to repay them as well was another factor."

Neale said the club could bounce back into finals contention as early as next season given injured stars Nat Fyfe, Aaron Sandilands and Harley Bennell are likely to return.

He also said the emergence of Lachie Weller, Connor Blakely, Ed Langdon and Sam Collins was exciting for the club's long-term future.

Neale has been a shining light in a dismal season for the Dockers.

He is leading the AFL for total disposals per game with 32.8, third for contested possessions per game and equal sixth for clearances.

He made the All Australian 40-man squad last season and looks in contention for a spot in the 22 at this stage of the season.