Shaun McKernan has agreed to the terms of a new one-year deal with Adelaide.

Out of contract at the end of the 2013 season, McKernan exercised his right to explore his options during the recent trade period. However, after re-assessing his future over the past week the versatile ruckman/forward has decided to remain at West Lakes.

Crows General Manager of List Development and Strategy David Noble said he was pleased McKernan wanted to be part of the Club again next year.

“At the end of the season, we had a mature discussion with Shaun and his management about Shaun’s future. We respected Shaun’s desire to explore opportunities closer to family and friends in Melbourne, but he is and has always been a required player at our Club,” Noble said.

“We’re rapt Shaun’s agreed to stay. We believe he has plenty of room for development and think his versatility as a forward and ruckman is important to our playing group.”

Recruited with pick No.28 in the 2008 AFL National Draft, McKernan has played 32 AFL games.

The athletic tall played nine games this year, including a dominant performance against West Coast in Round 15. He also kicked seven goals switching between the ruck and forward line.

McKernan said he was looking forward to continuing his development at Adelaide.

“We’ve got a pretty young group. We didn’t have the year we would’ve liked this year, but we saw in 2012 how good we can be and I think we’ve got the potential to be even better,” McKernan said.

“We’ve got Eddie Betts and James Podsiadly onboard now and they’re going to be great for us. Personally, I’m looking forward to working with an experienced key forward like ‘Podsy’.

“I think my best footy is still ahead of me. I’ve been able to show at times what I’m capable of, but I need to produce that more consistently and make sure I hold my spot when I get in the team.”