Patrick Dangerfield admits he took the ‘go-home’ factor into consideration when weighing up his playing future, but says he's happy to be staying with his ‘second family' in Adelaide.

Dangerfield, who was selected by the Crows with pick No.10 in the 2007 Draft, remained at home in Moggs Creek, Victoria, to finish his Year 12 studies in his first season before making the move to South Australia at the end of the school year.

The dynamic midfielder has since played 73 games for the Club, developing into an integral part of the Crows midfield and being elevated to the senior leadership group this season.

The 22-year-old has a close relationship with parents John and Janette and sister Bethany, who remain in Moggs Creek. Grandfather Bob - based in Mildura - is a regular at Crows fixtures both home and interstate, while Dangerfield’s long-time girlfriend, Mardi, relocated to Adelaide 18 months ago.

At a press conference to discuss his decision to re-sign on Monday, Dangerfield said the promise of a bright future at West Lakes was enough to override the lure of home.

“Being away from family is the biggest factor and that’s the case with most interstate players. It (going home) comes into your calculations,” Dangerfield said.

“It’s a tough one because I’ve been away from mum and dad for a while. They miss me a fair bit … and they would’ve loved for me to come back, but they love me playing over here as well. They love what the Club has given to me and how supportive they’ve been.

“Some people are closer to their families than others and I’m certainly close to mine, but you build a family over here almost with the camaraderie you have. I’ve come through at a time when we had a huge turnover of players.

“When I first started at the Club, we had a lot of players over the age of 25-26, but you look at our list now and the majority of players are under the age of 21. I’ve been fortunate enough to come through with a group of players, and that we’ve been able to keep that core together.

“Obviously, we had Phil Davis (GWS) leave at the end of last year … but the majority of players I’ve come through the system with have stayed together. Those are the really strong bonds you build over time and that’s how you win premierships, if you keep your core team together.”

Speculation over Dangerfield’s future intensified following his blistering start to the season.

Playing exclusively as an onballer, Dangerfield averaged 31 disposals between rounds five-eight, earning a maximum 10 votes from the coaches in the AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year award in three of the four matches.

He was recently quoted as saying he would wait until the end of the season to negotiate a new deal, which he admitted was an attempt to keep the media at bay, but said he was pleased to have the distraction behind him.

“The speculation and hype that it (a contract negotiation) creates could eventually become a negative on the group,” he said.

“To get it out of the way and for the Club to be able to focus on winning games of footy rather than fielding questions about player contracts, I think it’s a better thing for the Club.”

Media reports suggested Dangerfield was being courted by several Victorian clubs, but he said he didn’t go down the path of speaking to potential suitors in Victoria.

“I didn’t really weigh up other clubs. I more weighed up whether to go home and be closer to mum and dad, but with the environment we’ve created here there’s no reason to leave and that will be the case with other players that re-sign,” he said.

“If I went to live back home (in Moggs Creek) I’m three-and-a-half hours away from Melbourne. To move back into home would be further away from Melbourne than I am here in Adelaide.

“Geelong would be the closest I guess, but with the list we have at the moment and direction we’re heading at the moment, I’m very comfortable staying with the Club.”

Dangerfield’s contract extension will see him remain at Adelaide until at least the end of 2015.

The Crows star said he hoped several out-of-contract teammates would follow his lead and re-sign with the Club.

“Kurt Tippett informed me before that he’s after nine or 10 years (on his contract), so if ‘Nobes’ (List Manager David Noble) can get that sorted ‘Tippo’ is willing to sign tomorrow,” he said with a laugh.

“I’m sure those contracts will happen in time. Ultimately, it’s up to the individual to make those decisions but as a Club we’re confident they’ll stay.”

The emergence of newcomers Gold Coast, Greater Western and most recently free agency has contributed to a re-emergence of five-year deals.

Dangerfield said he was most comfortable signing for a further three years.

“Five years is a long time. A lot can change. You can become a better player or a worse player. I just felt that three years was a good time length for myself,” he said.

“Other people have different situations, like I said Tippo is happy with 10 which will take him out to age 35.”

Adelaide currently occupies third spot on the AFL, with seven wins and two losses.

Dangerfield said the team’s impressive form under new coach Brenton Sanderson had played a part in his decision to stick with the Crows.

“It makes it a lot easier … but regardless of whether we were going poorly or well (as a team) I still think the infrastructure here is strong enough that we’re going to be a very successful team in the near future,” he said.

“It’s great we’ve started so well but it wasn’t the only determining factor.”