NORTH Melbourne veteran Scott Thompson is set to play on in 2019 following a positive exit interview with the club.
Thompson has been playing on a year-to-year basis for the past few seasons, and is eligible to move as an unrestricted free agent when the player exchange period opens in October.
However, AFL.com.au understands North and the 32-year-old should finalise a new one-year deal before then that will extend his career at Arden St into a 12th season.
"I've just had my review and it was pretty positive. I think the future's looking good," Thompson told NMFC.com.au's In Review podcast.
"It hasn't been finalised or anything, but hopefully something gets worked out in the next couple of weeks.
"Watch this space."
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Thompson's looming contract extension is well deserved.
His form was outstanding for much of this season as he again combined with Robbie Tarrant to hold down North's key defensive posts.
He also played every game, having not missed a match through injury over the past two seasons.
But the 2013 All Australian knew a serious injury late in the season could have ended his career.
"I'm 32, if I did my knee on the weekend in the last game, why would the club want me? I'm out for the next year," Thompson said.
"I was actually talking to my wife about this last night. I said that if I did my knee I would have been waving to the crowd at the end of the game because I would have been done.
"I was pretty happy to get through unscathed. Lucky I run with an awkward style, it helps support my knees when they bend that way."
Thompson remains a key player for the Kangaroos, who rely heavily on his miserly defence but equally on his composure and steady right boot when they have the ball.
He led North in one-percenters this year, was second for marks, third for rebound 50s and seventh for contested marks, while averaging 15.1 possessions a game.
Thompson will make a delayed start to 2019 after accepting a one-match suspension for striking St Kilda's Jack Steele during North's round 23 win at Etihad Stadium last Sunday.
The 2013 Syd Barker medallist has played 222 games since the Kangaroos plucked him as a 21-year-old recruit in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, at No.37 overall, via Geelong's VFL team.
When Thompson re-signs, fellow defender Sam Wright will become North's sole remaining 2018 free agent.
Wright, 28, has opened talks with the Roos after returning from career-threatening foot and ankle issues to play 16 games in 2018.
North's medical team is confident Wright is over the worst of his injuries, but the parties remain some distance from finalising a new deal.
It's understood North has offered Wright a one-year extension, but he is seeking an extra season.
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