LACHLAN Hansen has ignored opposition overtures to re-sign with North Melbourne for the next two seasons.

The tall forward was a key part of North's outstanding second half of this season, forming a potent three-pronged attack with fellow big men Drew Petrie and Robbie Tarrant.

But Hansen, 24, entered this month's Gillette AFL Trade Period out of contract, with reports suggesting he was unhappy with North's initial contract offer.

Hansen's future became clouded when opposition clubs, headed by Greater Western Sydney and Fremantle, reportedly tried to entice him away from Aegis Park.

But North put an end to that speculation when it told kangaroos.com.au the No. 3 pick in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft had re-signed with the club on Friday.

Hansen's future at Aegis Park had seemed in doubt at other times this year.

On the eve of the season, Roos coach Brad Scott declared Hansen's spot in North's team "far from guaranteed", saying he needed to work on his aggression and intensity.

Then injury and a VFL suspension kept Hansen out of North's team until round 13.

On his return, Hansen soon underlined his value to the Roos, both individually and as one of the triple towers in attack.

Hansen kicked an accurate 20.4 in his 12 games this year, his best return four goals against Carlton in round 16. Despite missing North's first 11 games, he also finished fifth at the club for contested marks (14).

But Hansen's 2012 contribution could not be judged in isolation. He, Petrie and Tarrant formed a team within a team on North's forward line, each taking turns to play decoy when the others had match-ups that could be more easily exploited.

In 12 games together, the trio averaged a combined 6.3 goals and 14.3 marks a game, a collective contribution that Scott continually stressed was the best basis on which to judge each player's performances.

Since debuting in round one, 2007, Hansen has played 79 games for North and kicked 69 goals.

North football chief Donald McDonald told kangaroos.com.au Hansen's re-signing was fantastic news for the club, stressing the Roos had never considered trading him.

"Lachie probably displayed the best form of his career in the second half of this year," McDonald said.

"We see him developing into a really good key forward over the next couple of years and believe he has a lot more improvement left in him.

"He's always had the talent, but there have always been question marks about his ability to perform consistently.

"In the past he perhaps wasn't physically ready to play key position, but now his body is right and he should be ready to go."

Hansen's future at Aegis Park had seemed in doubt at other times this year.

On the eve of the season, Roos coach Brad Scott declared Hansen's spot in North's team "far from guaranteed", saying he needed to work on his aggression and intensity.

Then injury and a VFL suspension kept Hansen out of North's team until round 13.

McDonald said North had planned to play Hansen in its senior team from round one, but had delayed his return from injury until he'd strung together a consistent run of form in the VFL.

On his return, Hansen soon underlined his value to the Roos, both individually and as one of the triple towers in attack.

Hansen kicked an accurate 20.4 in his 12 games this year, his best return four goals against Carlton in round 16. Despite missing North's first 11 games, he also finished fifth at the club for contested marks (14).

But Hansen's 2012 contribution could not be judged in isolation. He, Petrie and Tarrant formed a team within a team on North's forward line, each taking turns to play decoy when the others had match-ups that could be more easily exploited.

In 12 games together, the trio averaged a combined 6.3 goals and 14.3 marks a game, a collective contribution that Scott continually stressed was the best basis on which to judge each player's performances.

McDonald said North was confident the trio could be even more damaging in 2013.

"It's something we think we can really build on, but other sides are going to be across that trio now so it's up to Lachie and the boys to take it to a new level," McDonald said.

Since debuting in round one, 2007, Hansen has played 79 games for North and kicked 69 goals.

Nick Bowen covers North Melbourne news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nick