JED ANDERSON is set to rewarded with a fresh deal by North Melbourne after rejuvenating his career this season.
Anderson appeared to be on borrowed time at Arden Street when he played just 15 games in his first two seasons after crossing from Hawthorn on a three-year contract at the end of 2016, in a trade that cost North its first-round pick.
However, the 24-year-old has finally vindicated the Kangaroos' considerable investment, flourishing as an inside midfielder in the first half of 2018.
It's understood Anderson and North recently opened talks on a deal that will likely be for two years and tie him to the club until the end of 2020.
Anderson's dramatic development this season has not only bolstered the Kangaroos' midfield. It has also allowed North to deploy Jack Ziebell as a human battering ram in attack, confident the former Hawk can pick up the skipper's slack at clearances.
In an added bonus, the former NT Thunder player is also emerging as a leader at Arden St, with Tasmanian Next Generation Academy prospect Tarryn Thomas nominating Anderson as the Kangaroo who had taken him under his wing when he trained with the club over the pre-season.
Thomas, who has been tipped to go in the top three picks in this year's NAB AFL Draft, recently spoke glowingly of Anderson as a mentor on the Road to the Draft podcast. North can match any rival bids for the indigenous prodigy at the draft.
Anderson has already played a career-high 11 matches this season, having been plagued by injury and illness since debuting for Hawthorn in 2013.
Prior to suffering a hamstring injury early in North's round 11 clash against Brisbane, Anderson averaged 19.2 disposals, 4.5 clearances and 5.3 tackles over the first 10 rounds.
Meanwhile, North is likely to delay talks with unrestricted free agent Sam Wright until later in the season despite the defender's encouraging form since his return from nearly two years on the sidelines with injury.
It's understood Wright's management has approached North to open talks, but the club has indicated it won't be in a position to do so until after its round 13 bye.
Wright returned to the Kangaroos' team in round seven after a succession of foot and ankle injuries had sidelined him from all bar a handful of VFL games since round 11, 2016.
The 27-year-old has not missed a match since, making a seamless return to North's back six.
Wright's strong foot skills on both sides give the Roos' defence a classier edge, while, at 188cm, he is also a strong overhead mark.
The former forward has not lost his attacking flair either, having been nominated for Goal of the Year after snapping truly while flat on his back against Brisbane in round 11, and for Mark of the Year after his spectacular one-handed grab against Geelong last Saturday.
The No.27 pick in 2008's NAB AFL Draft, Wright was an important member of the Kangaroos' 2014 and 2015 preliminary final teams.
North Melbourne's other out-of-contract players include free agents Shaun Atley (restricted) and Scott Thompson, along with Luke McDonald, Ben Jacobs, Jarrad Waite and Ed Vickers-Willis.
