North Melbourne looks to bring contract talks forward with stars Daniel Wells and Jarrad Waite

NORTH Melbourne looks set to bring forward contract talks with free agents Daniel Wells and Jarrad Waite after their stunning early-season form.

AFL Lions Vs North Melbourne

NORTH Melbourne looks set to bring forward contract talks with free agents Daniel Wells and Jarrad Waite after their stunning early-season form.

Wells’ career was in ­jeopardy last year because of a lingering achilles injury and Waite this year finishes a two-season deal at North.

The Kangaroos made Brent Harvey sweat on a one-year extension last year before re-signing him and fellow veteran Drew Petrie in August.

But the club is open to discussions on Waite and Wells, and Harvey is in such strong form, he seems certain to play next year, too.

Waite, 33, played 23 games last year and has kicked eight goals in two games this season, inc­luding five against Brisbane Lions.

Wells, 31, might want two years but would be more likely to be given one after just 14 games since the start of 2014.

North Melbourne midfielder Daniel Wells has made a fast start to the season. Picture: AAP

Former North Melbourne forward Nathan Thompson twice led the club’s goalkicking tally and says the Roos’ veterans are in vintage form.

“Sometimes we can get rid of players too quickly and Petrie and Wells and Harvey have been great contributors and they have looked after themselves an absolute treat,’’ he said.

“You wouldn’t find three more professional people and you throw Jarrad Waite in as someone who is still playing good footy.

“I am rapt Wellsy has been able to get over his injuries and rapt for Boomer and Petrie is a ripper.

“If you end up with too many players in an older age bracket there is a danger they will all end up at once.

“But North Melbourne has the right mix with those guys and younger players like (Jack) Ziebell and (Ben) Cunnington.

“They get their bodies right and work hard on their fitness and form and it’s paying dividends.”

Silky midfielder star Wells is coming off a lucrative three-year extension and has been in sparkling form in the first two rounds.

The Roos are aware he broke down in Round 2 last year and did not play another game for the season.

But as an unrestricted free agent he could cross to another team without impediment, giving him some leverage with the Roos.

Roos champion Brent Harvey in action against the Lions. Picture: Getty

Harvey needs only 15 more games to equal Michael Tuck’s AFL games record of 426 games.

He turns 38 on May 14 but played every game last year and is hitting or bettering all of his running and fitness benchmarks of past years.

Already this year he has a combined 40 possessions and five goals after a late comeback against Adelaide and a strong win over Brisbane.

Hawthorn legend Leigh Matthews remarked this weekend that “35 could be the new 30” after 15 players 33 and over took the field in Round 2.

Waite amassed a remarkable 23 disposals, 13 contested possessions and six marks to go with his five goals, which brought up his 300th career goal.

“I knew I was getting close (to the milestone) but I wasn’t sure. It’s cool,’’ Waite said on Saturday of the 300 goals.

“(It doesn’t mean so much) right now but maybe in 10 or 15 years when the young fella is old enough and looks at it ...

“When I was younger I used to look at dad’s (goals) with more excitement.

“At the moment I just want to play my role for the team and hopefully I am doing that. I got on the end of a couple of really nice kicks but overall it was a quality effort (by the team).”

Originally published as North Melbourne looks to bring contract talks forward with stars Daniel Wells and Jarrad Waite