Head coach Marc Greig announced that Rippon was the latest existing player to re-commit to the club.

The Selkirk Roosters are hoping to have close to half their list secured before the end of the season.

Originally from East Point, Rippon won last year’s JJ Liston Trophy and early this season passed 50 games in the VFL.

While Rippon has played all 16 games this season, he will have thumb surgery immediately after the season.

Greig said Rippon had had to deal with a thumb injury most of the season. Tony Lockyer will also be having thumb surgery after the last round.

The Roosters meet Essendon in the penultimate home and away round at Eureka Stadium on Saturday as part of a double-header with the North Ballarat Rebels.

Greig said North had had about 13 first-year and handful of second-year players with only a few games under their belst when heavily beaten by Essendon in round two.

He said this would again be tough, but the Roosters wanted to finish the season as strongly as possible.

Schedule: 2.30pm: Roosters v Essendon; 11.30pm, Rebels v Eastern Ranges