Fremantle goalsneak Michael Walters has re-signed with the AFL club for a further two years, tying him to the Dockers until the end of 2018.

Walters was already contracted until the end of 2016, but has added a further two years onto that deal.

The 23-year-old, who has two young children with his partner Marnie Tyers, said family reasons played a big part in his decision to stay put.

But he also said the club’s decision to stand by him during troubled times in 2012 convinced him to re-sign.

Walters’ career was on the brink when he was banished to the WAFL in early 2012 after turning up to pre-season training with substandard skin folds.

The 177cm forward worked hard to win back the trust of the club and he has since established himself as one of the competition’s best small forwards.

“In 2012 my career was over and I wasn’t sure if I was going to get another contract or whether I was going to be here,” Walters said.

“I want to show faith to the club that I’m going to stay because they showed faith in me.”

Walters only managed eight games this year due to a serious ankle injury, but hopes to play a full season in 2015.