NORTH Melbourne has fought off keen rival interest in Mason Wood to re-sign the emerging tall forward for four years, and the Roos have also signed veteran small forward Lindsay Thomas on a new two-year deal. 

Wood was due to come out of contract at the end of this season and had received approaches from opposition clubs believed to include Essendon, Fremantle and the Brisbane Lions. 

Wood has recommitted to the Roos until the end of 2020, with the club confirming the story on AFL.com.au on Sunday morning. 

Wood, 22, has played just 16 games with North since he was taken with pick No.41 in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft.

But the Roos have long had faith in the former Geelong Falcon and that faith has been rewarded this year as Wood has kicked 12 goals in eight games, including 2.3 against Hawthorn in round 13.

Wood, 192cm, has given North's forward line a point of difference this season.

Blessed with elite endurance, he can work hard up and down the ground, while his strong defensive pressure means he can fit in alongside tall trio Drew Petrie, Jarrad Waite and Ben Brown without making North top heavy.

Wood's contested marking has also improved dramatically this year, making him a greater threat close to goal.

With Petrie and Waite, both 33, nearing the end of their careers, Wood and Brown, 23, loom as key parts of North's forward line over the next decade.

Wood has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury against West Coast in round 16, but North is hopeful he can return in time for the finals.

The new deal for Thomas, 28, will see him remain with the Kangaroos until the end of 2018.

"We began talks several weeks ago and Mason was always keen to stay at Arden Street," North list manager Cameron Joyce told the club website. 

"He has a very bright future at North." 

Joyce said Thomas was able to "turn a game in a matter of minutes and the growth he's had as a player and person is phenomenal".