Pay jump could keep Brown a Roo for life

NORTH Melbourne has started contract talks with Ben Brown over a new deal that is likely to make the full-forward the club’s highest paid player and a Kangaroo for life.

Football boss Brady Rawlings and Brown’s manager, Adam Ramanauskas, confirmed yesterday that “positive discussions” were under way.

Almost half of North’s list falls out of contract this year and re-signing Brown shapes as the club’s No.1 priority.

“Ben’s out of contract and we’re negotiating at the moment,” Rawlings said.

“Obviously he’s a really important player for us, not just with his output on the ground.

“We’d like to get something done as soon as possible.

“Not many players leave this footy club and hopefully it stays that way.”

Securing Brown’s signature early would be a big win for the Roos.

He is expected to command a price tag in the vicinity of $700,000-800,000 a season.

While recruit Jared Polec topped the wage list at Arden St last year, the former Port Adelaide wingman came across on a five-year deal that was heavily front-ended.

Brown, 27, is expected to recommit for two or three seasons. A three-year deal would see the Tasmanian turn 31 shortly after that deal expires.

Brown has booted 188 goals in the past three seasons — 21 more than any other player.

But the running machine has proven to be remarkably durable since he was drafted out of VFL club Werribee with pick No.47 in 2013.

The 200cm spearhead with the monster set-shot run-up has played 22 AFL games in each of the past five seasons.

Brown has also booted more than 60 goals every year since 2016. He has been unfortunate not to pick up a Coleman Medal or All-Australian guernsey so far.

Brown finished three goals behind Coleman winner Jeremy Cameron ( GWS) last year, four goals behind Jack Riewoldt (Richmond) in 2018 and six goals behind Lance Franklin (Sydney) in 2017.

Cameron had nine majors against Gold Coast in Round 23 last year to pip the Roo.