Brown, 24, was off contract at the end of 2018 but the Kangaroos, as expected, pounced to lock him away for longer, particularly after they had missed out on Dustin Martin and Josh Kelly.

Not only is Brown a key figure inside the attacking 50, he has emerged as a cult figure through his long, curly locks and long run-up for goal.

"The stars just aligned. North was really keen to keep me on and I was really keen to stay," Brown said on Friday.

"There was a lot of external noise but I never really considered [leaving]. I'm really happy at North Melbourne and I'm really looking forward to staying around for a few more years.

"It's a really exciting time for us. We've got young kids coming through and, the next couple of years, I think we should really be pushing up the ladder. I'm really looking forward to being part of that.

"I never really considered leaving because I love the place. The club will have to put up with me for another couple of years, which is good. I am still really thankful for North giving me that opportunity in the first place."

Kangaroos great Wayne Carey recently declared Brown was worth more than $1 million a season, such was the scarcity of quality key forwards on the market and the talent the Tasmanian boasted.

Brown's importance magnified this year after Drew Petrie moved on last year and veteran Jarrad Waite struggled to have a consistent impact. Waite is still awaiting his fate for 2018.

Brown booted 63 goals this season, finishing third in the Coleman Medal. He finished third in the best and fairest, behind Shaun Higgins and Ben Cunnington.

"There are still plenty of weaknesses in my game and I know that within myself I can take my game to another level, and that's what I'm going to look to do over this pre-season and into 2018 and beyond," Brown said.

"I didn't really feel anything at all in my knee this year, which is really good. All things going well, my body stays feeling really good, as it has done."

Brown, having been overlooked in a couple of national drafts, was taken with the 47th overall selection in the 2013 draft. He has booted 154 goals in 77 games.