North Melbourne youngster Tristan Xerri says he didn’t hesitate to put pen to paper on a new two-year contract to stay at the club until at least the end of 2022. 

However, he admits there was a period when he didn’t know if it would happen.

“The club came to me before the first lockdown and offered me something and then the AFL froze contracts so it was a bit of a nervous wait there for a few months,” Xerri told North Media. 

“Luckily enough, they came to me again and I wanted to put pen to paper straight away with this great club.”

Xerri said it has been a surreal experience coming to Arden St in 2017 and he believes something special is on the horizon.

“I’ve only played four games … and [I’m] lucky enough to have played four games, but every time I put on the jumper before the game I just stare at the number 38 and I can’t believe I’m putting it on,” he said. 

“Ever since I got here, all the boys and the mateship and comradery, especially now with the younger group coming in, it’s just a great feeling around the place.

“I’ve only been here for three years but this group’s like no other group we’ve had before, we put a lot of work into it in pre-season. We’ve only won the three games this year but the signs have been there. 

“I really believe that in a couple of years we could be contenders.” 

North GM football Brady Rawlings said it was an exciting move for the future having Xerri sign on. 

“Tristan has worked really hard over the past couple of years and we’re really starting to see that translate at AFL level,” he said. 

“Tristan gives us flexibility in the ruck and forward, and we love the way he goes about it. He’s aggressive and is growing in confidence each time he runs out. 

“We’re excited to watch him continue to develop over the next couple of years.”

Drafted with pick 72 in the 2017 National Draft, Xerri played 29 VFL games in his first two years. 

He debuted for North in Round 4 this year and played four games before injuring his shoulder in Round 13.