BILLIE Smedts has pledged to work harder than ever on becoming a regular AFL player after being handed a new two-year contract by Geelong, which ties him to the club until the end of the 2017 season.

The 23-year-old, who was selected by the Cats with their first pick (no. 15 overall) in the 2010 national draft, has played just 37 AFL games in his five injury-plagued seasons at the club.

But the Geelong hierarchy remains convinced that Smedts can make the grade in the coming years.

"I'm over the moon," he told geelongcats.com.au after his new deal was confirmed.

" It's been a very different journey for me. It's been an absolute roller-coaster.

"I've experienced the highs and lows of AFL footy and I'm just very grateful to be staying around for another couple of years."

Smedts was sidelined for the 2011 season by hip problems, and since then he has been struck down by a range of injuries, including a broken leg and broken collarbone.

"I'm wishing for some luck," he said. "I've had a number of injuries that have put me out for a long period of time.

"I've got up and going at stages and then been struck down with injuries again, so it's been a really frustrating couple of years."

Smedts, who grew up in Warrnambool in south-west Victoria and came through the Geelong Falcons TAC Cup program, suffered the broken collarbone earlier this season.

As a result, he has made just four AFL appearances for the Cats this year.

His most recent game at the highest level was against the Brisbane Lions at Simonds Stadium in round 18.

He managed 15 disposals that afternoon, but he made a number of critical errors and was subsequently sent back to the VFL.

"I came to the club with high expectations of myself, and I just haven't been able to meet them yet," Smedts said.

"Mentally, it's been a tough couple of years, because I've played some football that has just been nowhere near the level that I've wanted to play.

"But the coaching staff have backed me into doing it.

"So I'm looking forward to working hard over the next couple of years and showing our fans and supporters that I can play football.

"And I want to repay the faith the football club has shown in me."