ADAM Simpson will lead North Melbourne for as long as he wants to, says his coach Dean Laidley.

Now in his fifth year as captain, Simpson replaced Anthony Stevens at the end of 2003 even though Stevens played for another season.

Speaking exclusively to kangaroos.com.au, Laidley said that while Drew Petrie and Brent Harvey are among Simpson's likely successors, the 32-year-old deserved to see out his career in the position.

"For you as the captain to earn the respect of the playing group is always difficult … and I think that I probably wouldn't do that again," Laidley said, referring to the situation that saw Simpson accept captaincy with Stevens still in the side.

"Drew's got all the characteristics to make a good captain. Whether he's actually named captain or not is another thing. Adam will be the captain for as long as he plays.

"If Adam decided to give it away at the end of this year, No. 29's (Brent Harvey's) going okay."

Simpson has played 18 of his side's 20 games this season, returning strongly against Carlton last weekend after sitting out two matches with a hip injury.

And he is showing no signs of slowing down, averaging close to 25 possessions in a role central to the midfield set-up.

The victory over the Blues was the Roos' sixth on the trot and earned them fourth spot on the ladder.

With his club in a strong position to stay there, Laidley believes the side has already surpassed its preliminary final finish of 2007.

"I would have thought that we’re closer to winning our next premiership than we were when we finished last year – regardless of where we finish this year," he said.

"We’ve still got a long way to go. We want to go as far as we possibly can, absolutely. And if that means playing in finals, winning a final, getting to a preliminary final, getting to a grand final, that’s what we’re after."