North Melbourne have ensured star midfielder Ben Cunnington avoids free agency, signing him until the end of the 2020 AFL season.
Cunnington, who was already contracted through to the end of 2017, signed a three-year contract extension after finishing in the top two in the club's best and fairest for the past two years.
"It's exciting, we were just going about the pre-season as usual knowing that I had a contract for this year and next year, when the club approached me and my manager about a new deal," the 24-year-old Cunnington said.
"It's worked out really good for me. I never wanted to leave, and now I won't have to deal with all that free agency stuff (next year) and all the media and speculation that goes with it."
The club also locked several of their other stars into long-term deals last year including ruckman Todd Goldstein and midfielder Jack Ziebell.
Cunnington won the Kangaroos' best and fairest award in 2014 and was runner-up to Goldstein last year.
"I've always been brought up to be loyal in whatever you do, and North has been very good to me," Cunnington said.
"This place is a part of home for me."
North Melbourne play Adelaide at Etihad Stadium in round one of the home and away season on March 26.
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