NORTH Melbourne has protected Ben Cunnington from a potential GWS poaching raid, re-signing the exciting midfielder until the end of the 2014 season.

Cunnington was not due to come out of contract until the end of next season, but the Roos moved early to ward off any threat from the Giants, who can negotiate with players set to come out of contract at the end of 2012.

The 34-gamer told the Herald Sun that he was rapt to pen the new deal.

"I'm rapt, obviously the club has shown heaps of faith with me and I couldn't be happier at North and I want to repay them and stick around for a few more years and hopefully take my footy to the next level," the No.5 pick in the 2009 draft said.

"We have a young list and now we are all starting to come through together and come into our third and fourth years together, and after our second trip to Utah, we are getting fitter and more experienced. It's very exciting and hopefully we crack the eight this year."

The tough midfielder said he never considered moving away from Aegis Park.

"[I've] never had any doubt with North, I couldn't be happier here and with the exciting list coming through, it's looking great for the future and over the next couple of years, I reckon North will be right up there," he said.

"With the coaches and facilities, I couldn't imagine going anywhere else, I'm happy at North."

With his second trip to Utah now under his belt, the 20-year-old hopes to have a breakout year on the field.

"I felt pretty fit over there last year but I came back and hurt my knee, but this year I'm running quicker times and the body is holding up so I haven't had any niggles or anything so far ... hopefully I keep going through injury free and get through every session," he said.

"I've had two interrupted pre-seasons and have just played catch-up throughout the whole year. If I get a full pre-season this year hopefully I will come out and play better footy than in previous years and help the team succeed."