For the first time since perhaps the start of his career, Scott Thompson was one of the last North players to be offered a contract at the end of the 2017 season. With the Roos closely evaluating the age of their list, the 32-year-old says he and 35-year-old Jarrad Waite were in limbo.

“Yeah, I guess (September) was a bit of wait-and-see ... You think about what you will do if a contract isn’t offered,” he said.

“It was a situation I hadn’t really been in before, in limbo, not knowing what was going on. That’s the AFL system — you have to understand it’s not always about form, it’s about the future of the club as well.”

While that was a rare circumstance for the veteran defender, the beginning of the 2018 has been far from unusual. Thompson remains one of North's most reliable players and is one of the first picked in the 22-man team. 

The 210-gamer's form is undeniable and sits remarkably close to that of his 2013 All-Australian year. 

He's averaging 15.9 possessions a game and 6.2 marks, 2.7 intercept marks, 5.1 spoils and 0.8 goals conceded - better than the last two years at 1.8.

“I have really enjoyed playing down back. There has been a lot of pressure on the ball from the forwards and mids, which helps a lot, and playing alongside Taz (Robbie Tarrant) is good," Thompson told The Herald Sun.

“He just doesn’t lose a contest he goes to, so I am feeling good so far.”

With his wife Lauren and daughters Genevieve, four, and Zara, two, in the stands, along with his devoted mother, Elaine, Thompson has plenty of motivation to succeed.

“Dad passed away halfway through my career which was a very sad time, but I always think of him and try to play for him and make sure he is proud of me,” he said.

“I always go out before every game and have him in the back of my mind, making sure I try my hardest and try to implement the values he taught me through my life.

“I just try to give it my all and do everything I can for the team. Mum missed the Tassie game recently, but she came to Perth last week.

“She obviously enjoys going to the footy and she has only missed about four or five games in all, so it’s a pretty good effort.”

On the field the voice of Brad Scott is as significant as ever.

“So far the team has been really good and with the young and vibrant team we have got, it’s been a lot of fun,’’ he said.

“I obviously rate him as a coach.

“The game plan that we have is really good. He is a great teacher and he not only teaches the younger guys but also people like myself new things each week.

“We have a game plan which is individualised to each team we play and so far it’s been working. I think everyone was rapt when he signed on and was staying around.”

With the bye round fast approaching, Thompson will re-load for the second-half of the year but he won't be thinking past this season.

“I am really enjoying my footy at the moment. When you keep winning you never want to stop,” he said.

“But I haven’t really thought about it [next year] yet. We are travelling really well at the moment and it just depends how we go during the year and how I finish off the season.”