GEELONG ruckman Ryan Abbott has knocked back rival offers to commit to a fresh two-year extension at GMHBA Stadium. 

AFL.com.au understands the 27-year-old has been rewarded after a season where he played four games, including the Cats' losing elimination final to Melbourne in the absence of No.1 big man Rhys Stanley.

With his sights set on displacing Stanley for round one 2019, Abbott has agreed to remain a Cat until at least the end of 2020.

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With ruckmen in demand across at the competition at clubs such as Greater Western Sydney and West Coast, the Cats finalised the deal this week.

The Cats had initially placed a one-year deal on the table in the back half of the season before doubling the length of the offer after Abbott forced his way into the senior team.

With Stanley carrying a calf injury, Abbott played the final two home and away matches before facing Max Gawn as the Cats fell to the Demons in the first week of finals.

Stanley is understood to have agreed to terms on a two-year deal until the end of 2020, while Zac Smith, who played three games in 2018, is signed for 2019.

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Prior to his debut in round 20, Abbott impressed in the VFL and threatened to earn an AFL berth early in the season before Stanley enjoyed a six-week block of career-best form.

Meeting Richmond premiership ruckman Toby Nankervis on debut, Abbott then held his own against Fremantle's Sean Darcy and Gold Coast's Jarrod Witts.

Growing up in Geelong, Abbott turned to basketball in his teenage years before switching back to football and earning a berth in Geelong's VFL team in 2016. 

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After just four games at VFL level, the Cats selected him with pick 69 in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft.

The Cats' first-to-fourth-year players will return to pre-season training on November 12 with the rest of the squad due back by November 26.