REJUVENTATED midfielder Jed Anderson and North Melbourne remain some way apart in their contract talks less than a week before the end of the home and away season.
AFL.com.au reported in June Anderson had opened talks on a new deal that would likely tie him to the Kangaroos for another two years.
At the time, it was believed the parties were close to signing an agreement, but negotiations stalled soon after.
Anderson has since changed management companies, moving from TLA Australia to Precision Sports.
North has been in talks with the 24-year-old's new manager, Liam Pickering, but it's understood the parties have some work to do before finalising the financial terms of the proposed contract.
The Roos, however, are confident a deal will get done.
North's protracted talks with Anderson have coincided with its multi-million dollar bids for West Coast free agent Andrew Gaff and Port Adelaide wingman Jared Polec.
Ben Jacobs and free agents Scott Thompson and Sam Wright head North's other remaining out-of-contract players.
The Roos' talks with Jacobs, 26, have also been progressing slowly, while they won't open negotiations with Thompson, 32, until the end of the year.
However, Wright, 28, has started talks on a new deal with the Roos, who are confident the classy defender is over the foot and ankle injuries that threatened to derail his career.
Anderson appeared to be on borrowed time at Arden Street heading into this year after playing just 15 games in his first two seasons.
However, in 2018, he has finally vindicated the faith the Kangaroos showed when they traded their 2015 first-round pick for him.
After finally enjoying a largely uninterrupted pre-season, the 24-year-old has flourished as a hardnosed inside midfielder, missing just one game – he had never played more than 10 matches in a season before – and averaging 19.6 disposals.
At North, only Ben Cunnington and Shaun Higgins have averaged more clearances this year than Anderson (4.8 a game), while he is also equal second at the club for tackles (5.2).
Anderson's dramatic development has also allowed North to deploy Jack Ziebell in attack, with the former Hawk ably picking up the skipper's slack at stoppages.