Shaun Higgins has reaffirmed his commitment to North, signing a one-year contract extension. 

Already contracted for the 2020 season, Higgins had attracted interest from rival clubs, but turned down longer, more lucrative deals to stay at Arden St until at least the end of 2021.

“I feel relieved and excited so it was nice to put pen to paper and commit for obviously next year but then for the season beyond that as well,” Higgins told North Media.

“From the moment discussions began around my future, I always maintained my commitment to North Melbourne.

“I’m just delighted that we reached a deal that the club and me are more than comfortable with.” 

Higgins said talk of him leaving or demanding a longer term were off the mark. 

“It’s difficult times when there’s speculation outside and I’ve tried to be as open and honest through the whole process as possible. 

“It just had to run its course. Obviously a difficult situation and circumstances at the football club with senior management and the like throughout the second half of the year, so we need that to settle down to pick up talks post season which I’ve tried to explain the whole way along and get to this point which is great

“The club also put it on hold just so they could get the right people in charge and go through the process of getting a coach which I completely understood at the time. So, we had constant dialogue, we were open and honest through the whole time of the negotiations, we picked it up post season and glad we could get it done.

“I just feel like I’m invested here and I don’t think people understand the amount of work that goes in to play, particularly senior players at a football club both on and off the ground. 

“The club’s been great to me, a really core group of guys here at the football club that I’ve loved playing with over the five years that I’ve been here and I wanted that to continue but I also wanted to do what was right for the footy club. 

“If they saw that it was best fit to re-build and move on senior players then I was open to helping them under those circumstances, so that’s how the conversation started. If that wasn’t the case then I’m here to commit and I want to commit long term so all those boxes were ticked and we’re here today.

“In the end, we’ve agreed on a one-year extension which I think is great for both parties and shows that it was never about holding out for two or three extra years like some media has reported. 

“Unfortunately there was a lot of misinformation being put out there and it’s good to be able to clear it all up and set the record straight by announcing this new deal.” 

Higgins said Rhyce Shaw’s appointment, the club’s refreshed coaching group and the club’s talented youth bode well for the future.

“It’s certainly an exciting time at North and as a leader, I want to be a part of it and help usher in a new era of success.”

“We’re fortunate we’ve had great coaches, well for the whole time I’ve been here, so I mean those guys aren’t around yet but I’m sure come the first week of pre-season it’s going to be a slightly different look. 

“We’ll also have some new players which is natural to kick off a pre-season so there will be that new fresh air I guess and Shawry [Rhyce Shaw] is going to be part of that as well having the pre-season to implement what he needs to do. 

“So, exciting pre-season, a big pre-season and we’ve put everything else to rest so we look forward to getting underway.” 

The 31-year old put together another stellar season in 2019, in which he averaged a career-high 28 disposals.

Higgins joined North after the 2014 season and is set to play his 100th game for the club next year.