He’s been in the system for 15 years, but a love for the game just keeps Jarrad Waite coming back for more.

The veteran forward agreeing to a one year deal to extend his career in 2018 with North Melbourne.

“I enjoy the game too much,” Waite told NMFC.com.au.

“I obviously had to weigh a few things up with respect to my family, my body and fitness and whether I felt I could still contribute, and when all that came back in the positive, I felt genuinely excited about going around again with North and put pen to paper.

“To be honest, I did consider retirement as an option for the first time in my career, but I quickly realised that I had more than enough left in the tank for another season and maybe more - who knows?”

Waite enters his fourth year as Arden St, still one of the most damaging forwards in the league when he’s fit and firing. The 34-year-old now over the calf injury that kept him sidelined for the final rounds of the season.

“I’ve got my mobility and my strengths so I feel I still have a lot to offer,” Waite added.

“The calf is feeling great and I’ve rehabbed it well. Looking back, I was only a week off returning to play but we obviously ran out of time. The shoulder injury I sustained earlier in the season was an impact injury. I’ve never had any issues with my shoulders before so I don’t see that as being a concern going forward.”

Spurring the athletic forward is the chance to work closely with the Kangaroos’ young goal kickers.

“I look at Ben McKay, Nick Larkey and even Mason Wood, and I know I can help guide them on and off the field with all the things I’ve learned in my 15 seasons in the AFL,” Waite said.

“I’ll look to take a bigger role in their development which will be really rewarding and will also allow me to look at whether there might be an ongoing opportunity for me in recruiting or development once my career is finished.

“So I’ll do a little coaching apprenticeship along the way and learnt the ropes to see if the shoe fits.”